Council house rents set to rise

Council house rents in Orkney look set to increase by 5.6 per cent from April 1.

Orkney Islands councillors today backed the rise, following a consultation with tenants during November, last year.

Across Scotland, the average council rent being charged for 2011/12 was £56.94 a week. This ranges from £43.55 in Moray to £74.87 a week in Edinburgh. Orkney’s average rent is in the region of £60.06 a week.

In 2011/12 Orkney had risen to 12th place from 22nd place in 2010/11. Highland and Shetland Islands Councils charge higher rents than Orkney and are ranked third and fourth in Scotland respectively.