Presented to the meeting of the full council this week, the report on the rent consultation for 2026/27 and 2027/28 recommended increasing Housing Revenue Account rents by 7% in both years.

The increase is equivalent to an average increase of £6.36 a week for 2026/27; and £6.80 a week for 2027/28, based on a 52-week year.

An extensive consultation with tenants took place between 1 December and 25 January 2026, and two proposals were presented for each year.

For 2026/27 - proposal one was for a rent increase of 7%, while proposal two was for an increase of 7.5% or £6.81 a week over 52 weeks, and this increase would have been used to accelerate the flat door replacement programme.

While for 2027/28 – proposal one was for a rent increase of 7%, while proposal two was for an increase of 7.5% or £7.29 a week over 52 weeks, and again this increase would have been used to accelerate the flat door replacement programme.

The response to the consultation was very positive. 70.4% felt that the rent they pay is good value and 80.5% were happy with the level of consultation and information that the Council provided over the proposed rent increases.

88.5% of those who responded chose proposal one for 2026/27 and 87.8% chose proposal one for 2027/28.

Councillor Jim McMahon, spokesperson for Housing, Transport and Communities, said: “The views of our tenants matter and shape the decisions that are taken by the council and by Housing Services. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to the consultation.

“It is clear that our tenants supported proposal one for both years and that their priority is improving existing housing stock, with 75% of tenants stating this was their top priority.

“The rent increase will ensure that our Housing Investment Programme will continue at pace, and £139.8 million has been earmarked over the next five years to focus on issues that matter to our tenants, like improving energy efficiency.

“I regularly visit homes with the Housing Services team to view the improvement works that are underway and it’s always great to hear the benefits that the external envelope enhancements are delivering for our tenants. We are making homes warmer, more energy efficient and more attractive.

“350 tenants will benefit this year from the whole house approach to insulation works, including external rendering and re-roofing, with a further 100 will have replacements roofs. 800 tenants will have new Grade A energy efficient heating systems installed and 680 tenants will get new kitchens and bathrooms, and electrical upgrades.

“This work is also having an impact on local young people who have been accepted onto our apprenticeship programmes and are working towards their qualifications in a number of trades, including joinery, plumbing and gas fitting.

“Housing Services will also be continuing with the extensive house building programme. £104m will be invested in new and acquired homes over the next five years and we aim to deliver up to 1,059 attractive, safe, warm and secure homes across East Ayrshire.

“I am particularly pleased to see plans being finalised for the housing development at George McTurk Court in Cumnock. Housing Services are holding two community engagement sessions where local residents can view plans and provide feedback that will inform the planning application. The community engagement sessions will be held at Rothesay House on Wednesday 25 February and Wednesday 25 March between 4pm and 7pm.

“Finally, our tenants recognise that their rent is good value. We are delivering for our tenants and our communities and will continue to do so through our housing improvement and house building programmes, while keeping our tenants’ views at the heart of our decision making and future planning.”