Friday February 6th 2026
West Lothian Council headquarters
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Stuart Sommerville
West Lothian Council rents are set to rise by just over £3 if councillors back the budget proposals in two weeks.
The rise represents a 3.5% annual increase- first introduced in 2023- and approved in a consultation with tenants just before Christmas.
It will take the average weekly rent for a council house in West Lothian to £95.42. That is £381.68 a month.
In a report to the Housing Services PDSP the head of Housing, Julie Whitelaw said: “Affordability of rent remains a priority for the council in a bid to ensure the rent level remains good value when compared to the wider housing sector.”
The report added the consultation was held in November and December. “The consultation, which included all existing tenants as well as persons on the Common Housing Register, included lettering and text messaging campaigns.
“The council received 790 responses to the consultation, with 438 (55%) of those tenants responding expressing a preference for a 3.5% per annum rent increase over the two-year period 2026/27 to 2027/28.”
The current average weekly rent in the county for council homes is £92.20, if agreed the 3.5% rise will see that rise by £3.22 to £95.42. For garages the new rent will be £7.07 a week.
Mrs Whitelaw said; “If council rents go up by 3.5%, the eligible rent on which the Housing Benefit calculation is based will also go up by 3.5%, so those on full benefit will not suffer further financial detriment.
“The DWP Landlord Portal currently shows 7,652 council tenants in receipt of Universal Credit and/or Housing Benefit, and those in receipt of full housing costs would be fully funded to meet the cost of the rent increase.
“The council’s focus on rent arrears from a preventative standpoint should assist those who are negatively impacted by the 3.5% raise as Housing officers continue to work in partnership with the Advice Shop to maximise income and improve budgeting skills.”
Councillors heard that the proposed rise compares favourably with rent levels in housing association homes which average £116 per week. The current rents in West Lothian are broadly similar to those charged by other local authorities in Scotland.
The council will decide rents levels and spending plans for housing- including repairs and capital spending for new housing at a special meeting on 19 February.
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