The council is inviting all tenants and waiting list applicants to give us their views on council house rents.

In 2021, the council agreed to defer both the 2021/22 and 2022/23 rent increases of 3% following the impact of the pandemic. This rent freeze situation is scheduled to come to an end in March 2023.

The consultation asks participants to choose which rent increase proposal they prefer from a range of options.

The consultation closes on 16 December 2022. At this point all the responses will be assessed and a report of the findings prepared so it can be considered by councillors at the council meeting in February 2023. The rent levels will be agreed at this meeting.

The consultation features an online questionnaire.

Councillor Stuart McKenzie, Midlothian cabinet member with responsibility for housing, said: “I urge as many of our tenants and waiting list applicants as possible to take part in this consultation so that your opinions are reflected in the final report. It’s important our tenants are engaged with the rent setting process.

“Your rent helps maintain the current homes we have, improve them, like installing cladding to reduce energy bills, and build more homes for future generations. The council is not immune from inflation, proposing rent increases allow us to keep doing these important things.”