Monday November 10th 2025
West Lothian Council headquarters
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Stuart Sommerville
West Lothian tenants are being asked their views on rent rises planned for next year.
An annual rent rise of 3.5% per year was agreed over a five-year period in 2023, and tenants will be asked to green light the rise which will take the average rent over the £90 a week mark for the first time.
The council’s Executive is set to approve the two-month survey when it meets tomorrow [Tuesday], councillors on the Housing Services PDSP heard.
The average weekly rent for homes is projected to be £92.26 in 2026/27, up from £89.14 in 2025/26. For garages, the weekly rent will rise to £6.94 in 2026/27, up from £6.71 in 2025/26.
With difficult budget decisions looming the 3.5% increase could be the only guaranteed rise come April.
Two years ago the SNP opposition group argued in its budget proposals to push up rents by 4.5% to secure more money for housebuilding.
After a decade of freezes councils were given free rein to hike council tax in the 2025 budget. In West Lothian it rose 8.95%. In some neighbouring authorities it rose substantially and another hefty rise is expected in 2026.
Households in East Lothian have already been asked for their views on a 10% hike. No figure has been discussed so far in West Lothian.
In a report to the Housing Services PDSP Kirsty Weir, the housing department Performance and Change Manager said: “The engagement will ask tenants if they remain satisfied with the rent strategy agreed upon in February 2023.
“It is proposed that tenant engagement will occur over a two-month period through social media channels, text messaging, the West Lothian Council website and by letter for tenants aged 60 and over.”
Mrs Weir told councillors that the 3.5% five-year rent strategy, agreed in February 2023, will enable the delivery of a balanced Housing Revenue Account (HRA) revenue budget, ensuring continued investment in housing infrastructure, the enhancement of existing homes, and the development of new affordable housing.
She added: “The 3.5% annual rent increase will support the delivery of a minimum of 409 additional council houses through new builds and open market acquisitions, with an average of £24.5 million per year being invested in the existing housing stock.
“The council’s preventative approach to managing rent arrears will help mitigate the impact of the rent increase. Housing Officers will continue collaborating with the Advice Shop to help tenants maximise their income and improve budgeting skills.
“The council’s planned tenant engagement on the fourth year of the five-year rent strategy is scheduled to commence from November and continue through to closure on 31 December.”
West Lothian Council’s rent rises have traditionally kept council rents below those of local housing Association tenants, as well as below the rises imposed in neighbouring council areas. The 3.5% deal comes to an end for the 2027/28 financial year, just ahead of the next council elections.
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