Cost-of-living crisis pressure factored in to modest rent rise for council-owned garages in Easter Ross

RENTS for Highland Council-owned garages in Easter Ross are to be increased by a modest three per cent to take account of the cost-of-living pressures many people are facing.

Highland Council's Easter Ross area committee had been recommended to sanction a seven per cent increase – which is still well below the rate of inflation at the time rent hike recommendations were made.

Members however this week agreed to a three per cent increase in rents for garages and garage sites for 2023/24 in Easter Ross.

Tenant consultation on the general rent increase for Council garage rents for 2023/24 was based on options for a 3%, 5% or 7% rent increase.

A 7% rent increase was recommended to members at the Easter Ross Area Committee.

However, councillors opted to move for a 3 per cent increase instead, due to current financial pressures impacting both the public and the council.

Councillors highlighted the very high level of void rentals and hoped these could be reduced to increase the income from garages in future years.

The additional revenue received through this increase will be ring-fenced to fund garage repairs and improvements and will partly offset increases in the cost of repairs.

The council listened to the responses received through tenant consultation on rent levels.

Any additional rent income from garages and garage sites generated by a rent increase will be applied as an increase in the area repairs budget for garages and garage sites in 2023/24.

Garage rent for council tenants will increase weekly by 29p from £9.82 to £ 10.11.

Garage rent for non-tenants will go up by 35p from £11.78 to £12.13.

As a result, annual income will increase from £185,871.36 to £191,442.56.

The rate increase will commence from April 2023 and garage tenants will be notified by letter.

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