Consultation on rent charges for East Ayrshire Council properties in 2025-2026

East Ayrshire Council consults annually with tenants, tenants and residents groups and the East Ayrshire Federation of Tenants and Residents (EAF) on our proposals relating to rent setting.

This year, the rent setting consultation period will run from 2 December 2024 to 24 January 2025 inclusive. ALL tenants who submit a response will be entered into a draw to win a £100 East Ayrshire Gift Card.

We will use the feedback to prepare a report for a meeting of Council in February 2025 at which Elected Members will decide the level of rent increase for Council tenants in the year 2025/26. We will then write to inform you what your new rent charge will be for 2025/26 at least four weeks in advance of any change that may occur.

Ensuring that we strike the best balance in terms of the sustainability of our assets, address poorly performing stock, work to meet our energy efficiency ambitions and understand the impact of the cost of living crisis has never been more challenging.

Why do we consult on rent setting?

East Ayrshire Council is required under section 25 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 to give each tenant not less than 4 weeks' notice, in writing, before increasing rents or other charges. Where the Council proposes to increase the rents of all or any class of our tenants, we must first consult those tenants who would be affected and take account of their views when making decisions about proposed rent increases.

The Scottish Parliament through the Scottish Social Housing Charter (‘the Charter’) sets the standards and outcomes that all social landlords in Scotland should aim to achieve when performing their housing activities. The Charter does not prescribe how landlords should consult tenants about proposed rent increases but it contains 16 standards and outcomes and three explicitly refer to rent, consultation, affordability and value for money.

Ways we can help

Under the terms of your Tenancy Agreement rent is due to be paid every week in advance

Find out more at: Paying your rent · East Ayrshire Council

If you are experiencing financial difficulties, then we can help.

You may be entitled to Housing Benefit/Universal Credit (UC). To find out more, please

• call 01563 554400
• email benefits@east-ayrshire.gov.uk
• contact your Neighbourhood Coach

If you are claiming UC, you may be entitled to help with your rent payment. To make a claim, go to www.gov.uk/universal-credit

You may be entitled to assistance if you’re struggling with your energy bills. Energy companies run grant schemes and help is available such as the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

Call the Universal Credit Support Team on 01563 503280, or email universalcredit@east-ayrshire.gov.uk for advice.

Lemon Aid offer help to Ayrshire residents with fuel bills. You can call them on 0800 221 8085.

Citizens Advice Scotland have lots of information too. Just go to www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy

Get Involved

You can give your feedback by viewing the attached booklet which highlights our Budget Headlines, our spending commitments for 2024-2025, how we spend every £1 of rent collected and how we compare with other Local Authorities along with the opportunity to complete our survey.