For the first time, Orkney Islands Council is seeking tenant opinion on a fixed-term rent policy over a three-year period – giving both the tenants and the council more certainty around budgeting. The letters also include an explanatory leaflet and survey forms to complete.

The provisional rental increases are:

• 2025/26 4%
• 2026/27 4%
• 2027/28 2.5%

Under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, the council is required to consult with its tenants about the proposed level of rent before any potential rental increase. The survey results will be presented to the OIC Education, Leisure and Housing Committee in February 2025.

The council’s head of community learning, leisure and housing, Frances Troup, said: “Currently, rent is set each year at the February meeting of the Education, Leisure and Housing Committee and ratified by Full Council in March which can make budgeting challenging for both tenants and the Council. Therefore, we are seeking tenant views on a fixed-term rent policy over a 3-year period. This would allow more certainty to our tenants on proposed increases. There will be a requirement for us to consult with any new tenants during the 3-year period.

“We would encourage our tenants to take a few minutes to share their views by completing the survey and returning it to us by 4pm on Friday 20 December 2024.”

Chair of the council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer said: “In these ongoing financially challenging times, being able to offer up some budgetary certainty for our council house tenants for the next three years is to be welcomed. It is important that our rents are affordable and as such I urge tenants to complete the survey to aid elected members in their decision-making process on setting rents.

“We, very much, do acknowledge the financial and emotional strains being placed on so many during these unprecedented times and would ask that anyone finding themselves in difficulty get in touch to discuss at the earliest opportunity.”