Rent Review Consultation 2026/27

Each year, the Co-operative reviews rent and service charges in line with your Scottish Secure Tenancy Agreement. As a not-for-profit charity, rent is our primary source of income, and every pound collected is reinvested into improving homes, such as installing new kitchens, bathrooms, windows, boilers, and enhancing the estate. This supports our mission of “delivering and supporting quality affordable homes and all-inclusive community living.”

We carefully balance rising costs with our commitment to maintaining services, investing in homes, and keeping rents affordable. We understand the financial pressures tenants face and want to remind you that our Welfare Rights advice service is available for support. At the same time, we face increasing costs for materials and services, and we strive to maintain the right balance between affordability and delivering essential services.

Are Our Rents Affordable?

Affordable rent is generally defined as no more than 30% of a tenant’s income. In our July 2025 Tenant Satisfaction Survey, 55% of tenants said rents were very or fairly easy to afford, while 45% said rents were just about affordable. No tenant reported rents as unaffordable. The Co-operative use the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations Affordability Tool to assess our rents to income, and all our rents are below 30%. As part of this consultation, we invite you to share any income pressures so we can explore ways to assist.

Value For Money

In the same survey, 88.7% of tenants agreed that our rents represent good value for money.

Service Charges

Currently, some costs, such as stair lighting, bulk and litter removal and grounds maintenance are not charged to tenants. These costs have risen significantly, and we need to look at this during 2026/27, we will consult with tenants on these services and future cost recovery.

Rent Restructure Proposal

We know that similar properties sometimes have different rent levels. To address this, we plan a rent harmonisation project during 2026/27, with full tenant consultation before any decisions. Harmonisation will ensure transparency and may result in increases, decreases, or no change, depending on the property. This will not come into effect until 2027/28 at the earliest.

Increases In Benefits

From April 2026, inflation-linked benefits administered by the Department for Work and Pensions will rise by 3.8%, Universal Credit standard allowances will increase by 2.3%, and the basic and new State Pension will rise by 4.8%.

What Are We Consulting On?

At our Strategy Day on 14 November 2025, financial consultants presented 30-year income and expenditure projections based on October CPI. Historically, applying only inflation-based increases has weakened our cash position, requiring above-CPI increases in 2024/25 and 2025/26 to recover. Continuing below-inflation increases would compromise our ability to maintain homes and services.

For 2026/27, we propose a rent increase of 3.6%, aligned with October CPI, effective from 1 April 2026. Lower increases are not viable, as they would significantly reduce income over time and impact future maintenance and improvement programs.

How We Use The Rental Income

How every £1 will be spent 2026/27

The table below provides further information on how the proposed increase impacts the average weekly rent charges:

How We Will Use Rental Income In 2026/27

• Customer Service: We will maintain a high standard of customer service for all tenants and review our service standards during 2026/27.
• Repairs and Maintenance: Tenants will have multiple options to report repairs, and we will continue working with specialist contractors to carry out these works.
• Health and Safety: We will meet fire safety requirements by installing and testing smoke alarms, heat detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Compliance Checks: Annual gas safety checks and regular electrical inspections will ensure homes remain safe and compliant.
• Cyclical Maintenance: Activities such as gutter cleaning, stair lighting, and stock condition surveys will help plan future maintenance programs.
• Estate Maintenance: Grass cutting, shrub care, and litter removal will continue without additional charges to tenants.
• Garden Assistance: Our Garden Maintenance Assistance Scheme will remain in place.
• Bulk Uplift and Fly-Tipping: Weekly bulk collection from tenement blocks and fly-tipping removal will continue at no extra cost.
• Rent Payment Options: We will provide flexible payment methods and advice through our Housing Management Team.
• Welfare Support: Weekly Welfare Rights Surgeries, delivered in partnership with Citizens Advice Bureau, will continue to secure financial gains for tenants.
• Planned Improvements: Our 2026/27 program includes installing 46 new utility rooms and two close entry doors.
• Community Engagement: We will work with local housing organisations to support community activities.
• Communication: Regular newsletters, website updates, and opportunities for tenant participation will keep you informed.
• Tenancy Support: The Tenancy Sustainment Fund will continue to provide emergency energy and food vouchers, starter packs for new tenants, and other assistance.
• Void Properties: Empty homes will be brought up to a high standard, and up to 25% of available properties will be allocated to tenants on our transfer list.

Have Your Say!

Tell us what is important to you, we would like to hear your views on the proposed rent increase for 2026/27. You can participate in the following ways:

This is the start of the consultation period, and it will run until Thursday 8th January 2026.

All those tenants who participate will be entered into our prize draw for the chance to win one of two £50 Love2shop gift vouchers.

What Happens Next?

The Management Board will review all feedback and consider the costs of service delivery before deciding on our 2026/27 rent levels. We will write to you in February 2026 to let you know what your rent and any service charges will be from 1st April 2026.

Help And Advice

If you wish to discuss any part of the Rent Review Consultation, please contact the Housing Management Team at the office on 0141 944 4902. If you require any financial or budgeting advice, you can contact the office make an appointment with an Advisor from the Citizens Advice Bureau who hold weekly Welfare Rights Surgeries at the office.