Annual rent increase agreed by Caerphilly Council
Council house tenants in Caerphilly County Borough are facing around a £2.87 rise in rent each week from April 2025.
Last week members of Caerphilly County Borough Council gathered and agreed to increase rents by 2.7%. Though the decision is far from ideal, the percentage is well below the 6.7% maximum allowed under Welsh Government rules.
The news means rises will see the current average rent increase from £106.44 per week, to £109.31 per week over the next year. What’s more, rent for council-owned garages will also rise by 2.7%, which is average of 25p more per week.
Statistics from Public Health Wales illustrate why the decision to hike up rent costs is particularly concerning right now. Since the cost-of-living started to bite 74% of people said that individuals they know are struggling to foot expenses associated with everyday life including rent, mortgage fees and food.
In better news, the decision to increase rents won’t majorly affect people in receipt of benefits – the latest statistics show 77% of tenants living in homes rented off the council are on Universal Credit or other housing benefits.
Councillor Shayne Cook, the council’s cabinet member for housing, said: ‘Annual rent increases are necessary to ensure we can deliver services, and maintain and improve tenants’ homes. If rents are not increased annually, this could lead to additional borrowing and debt charges; forcing the council to review services.’
On the subject of improving housing standards, research from Warm This Winter – a campaign group comprised of over 40 of the UK’s leading charities calling on the government to better address the ongoing energy crisis – shows around three-quarters of a million adults in Wales are living in cold, damp homes.
‘We understand that any increase in rent will be of concern and assure tenants that we have a range of support available to tenants who find themselves experiencing financial difficulties.’
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