Decision details

The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget (2026/27), Rents & Service Charges (2026/27) & HRA 10 Year Business Plan (2026/27 - 2035/36)

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

This report sets out the HRA budget proposals for the financial year 2026/27 including changes to rent levels and other charges as well as an updated HRA 10-year Business Plan.

Decision:

That Cabinet agreed:

 

  1. To approve the Housing Revenue Account 2026/27 budget for council homes as set out in Table 1.

 

  1. To approve the HRA 10-year Business Plan for Council Homes (2026/27 – 2035/36) as set out in paragraphs 3 - 4 of this report and Appendices 1 - 5.

 

  1. To approve a rent increase of 4.8% from 6 April 2026 (in line with September 2025 CPI+1%), which equates to an average weekly increase for tenants of £6.69 in 2026/27.

 

  1. To approve an increase to shared ownership rents of 4.8% from 1 April 2026 (in line with September 2025 CPI+1%).

 

  1. To approve changes to tenant service charges to reflect the costs of providing communal services from 6 April 2026, which equate to an average weekly increase for tenants of £1.52in 2026/27.

 

  1. To approve a reduction to charges for heating and hot water to reflect the costs of provision of the district heating service from April 2026, which equate to an average weekly reduction for tenants and leaseholders on the scheme of £0.29 (communal heating), £1.27 (tenants’ personal heating) and £2.08 (leaseholders’ personal heating) in 2026/27.

 

  1. To approve an increase to the management fee for temporary on licence properties of 3.8% (in line with September 2025 CPI) from 6 April 2026.

 

  1. To approve an increase to the rent and service charges for hostels of 4.8% from 6 April 2026 (in line with September 2025 CPI+1%).

 

  1. To increase garage charges for council tenants, resident leaseholders, and for other customers from 6 April 2026 by 3.8% (in line with September 2025 CPI).

 

  1. To note that any change to parking charges on housing estates were considered separately with the Council’s parking plans at Cabinet in January 2026.

 

  1. To increase car space rental charges for all customers by 3.8% from April 2026 (in line with September 2025 CPI).

 

  1. To approve an increase in the Leasehold After Sale – Home Buy fees by 3.8% from April 2026 from £237 to £246 (in line with September 2025 CPI).

 

  1. To approve an increase in the Leasehold Property Alterations fees by 3.8% from April 2026.

Report author: Danny Rochford

Publication date: 10/02/2026

Date of decision: 09/02/2026

Decided at meeting: 09/02/2026 - Cabinet

Effective from: 14/02/2026

Accompanying Documents: