Annual Rent Review

Dundee council house tenants could be consulted on proposed rent increases of 7%, 8% or 9% if councillors back the move next week.

Members of the Neighbourhood, Housing and Communities Committee are being asked to approve discussions with tenants on proposed annual increases ranging from an average of £6.89 to £8.85 per week.

During the two-month consultation, as many tenants as possible will be encouraged to share their views on the three options before a report is prepared and considered in January.

The proposed rent increases take account of inflation in the cost of services and materials, the growing cost of delivering repairs and re-lets, and an assumed 3% pay award for staff in 2027/28.

Previous rent increases have enabled the council to employ seven new apprentices, carry out nearly 50,000 reactive repairs, and complete improvements to council housing stock, including window replacements, kitchen upgrades and disabled adaptations in more than 800 properties.

Lynne Short, Depute Convener Neighbourhood, Housing and Communities said: "Renting with the council offers value for money, and we want to ensure our housing stock continues to meet the needs of our tenants

"As in previous years, it is proposed that tenants will have a say in setting their rent, with a number of options available.

"These range from a 7% increase, which would maintain existing levels of services, to either an 8% or 9% increase, which would allow the council to borrow additional funding to further improve the energy efficiency of our properties and accelerate programmes to modernise kitchens and bathrooms.

"We were extremely conscious when developing these proposals that the cost of living continues to rise for everyone, and the council is not immune to those pressures.

"Over the past five years, council rents have increased by 20.5%, compared with an average increase of 44.5% in the private rented sector. I want to reassure tenants that increases in council rent is invested in improving our housing stock, while also benefiting the city through opportunities such as new apprenticeships."

As well as using as many ways as possible of gauging tenants’ opinions including face to face engagement, social media and continued collaboration with Dundee Federation of Tenants Association and registered tenants’ organisations; information will also be made available about the support services available for people affected by the cost-of-living crisis.

The neighbourhood resources, housing and estate management committee meets on Monday October 26 2026