Midlothian Council Rent Consultation 2023/24 - 2025/26

This survey focuses on an important issue for Midlothian Council tenants and housing list applicants: the rent we charge for our homes.
It is vital that you read this information before completing the survey.
On 6 September 2022 the Scottish Government announced a social housing rent freeze until 31 March 2023. This survey concerns the rent which will be charged after 1 April 2023.
The survey presents rent setting options for future rental charges for council housing from April 2023, which will
·       Support the continuing investment in the Council’s existing Housing stock e.g. kitchen and bathroom upgrades
·       Determine the number of new build homes which will be built beyond those which are already in progress
·       Support the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH) to improve the energy efficiency of social housing

The Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH) was introduced by the Scottish Government to improve the energy efficiency of social housing. The EESSH2 has subsequently set a requirement that all social housing must meet an Energy Performance Certificate Band B rating by December 2032. The EESSH2 cost for Midlothian Council is currently estimated at £140m.

Current rent charges
Midlothian Council deferred both the 2021/22 and 2022/23 rent increases following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The table below shows Midlothian Council’s current average weekly rent charges and the Scottish average. It shows that Midlothian Council rent levels are slightly higher than the Scottish average for 1 and 2 bedroom properties but lower for properties with 3 or more bedrooms.