The increase was approved by councillors following a Special Meeting yesterday, maintaining some of the lowest rents in Scotland for the area.

Stirling Council’s average rent last year was the second lowest of all local authorities in Scotland and the new rate supports the view of the majority of council tenants.

Tenants were consulted in December 2022 on potential rate increases of 2.9%, 3.1% or 3.3%, with the vast majority of residents who responded (68.99%) supporting a 2.9% increase.

The average rent will increase by £2.26 per week over the 48-week rental period, from £77.59 in 2022/23 to £79.85 in 2023/24.

This will raise an additional £656,000 to meet pressures on staffing and inflation costs and support continued investment in new homes and maintaining older homes.

Stirling Council rents are, on average, 26% lower than other social landlords in the local area and 178% lower than the average rents in the private rented sector.

Stirling Council will now write to tenants to notify them of the new rent charges for their properties for 2023/24.