Kingston Council tenants will see their weekly rent rise by up to 4.8 per cent in April, which is the maximum allowed under government guidelines. The move means average rents for council tenants will increase by £6.75 from £140.70 to £147.45 a week for 2026/27, on top of service charges.

The council said it needed the extra income for plans financed by its Housing Revenue Account (HRA), which is a ringfenced budget used to manage, maintain and develop its housing stock.

This includes the major redevelopment of the 832-home Cambridge Road Estate with 2,170 new homes, developing smaller sites and repairing and improving homes.

The council's proposed budget for schemes included in its HRA from 2026 to 2030 is £105million.

A report by council officers said: "Rental income is vital to enable the council to maintain and improve the physical environment for residents, help people live well independently, provide decent homes for its tenants, and support vulnerable communities."

The council's people committee agreed the rent plans on Tuesday (February 3), with eight councillors voting in favour, one against and one abstention.

Lib Dem councillor Emily Davey, portfolio holder for housing, described the authority's housing plans as "so exciting" at the meeting.

On top of building homes, she said the budget would allow the authority to get stuck into repairs, fixing damp and mould and decarbonising properties to cut people's energy bills.

Housing associations and councils in England are allowed to raise their rents by up to 4.8 per cent for 2026/27. This is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising by 3.8 per cent in the 12 months to September 2024, with the ability to add 1 per cent on top.

The level of rent paid by a council tenant depends on the number of bedrooms in the property. The council has provided the changes in average weekly social rents for 2026/27 according to the size of the property in Kingston, which are summarised below:

• Bedsit: £5.22 more per week from £108.83 to £114.05
• One bedroom: £5.92 more per week from £123.37 to £129.29
• Two bedrooms: £6.83 more per week from £142.29 to £149.12
• Three bedrooms: £7.76 more per week from £161.71 to £169.47
• Four bedrooms: £8.57 more per week from £178.52 to £187.09
• Five bedrooms: £9.76 more per week from £203.32 to £213.08
• Six bedrooms or more: £11.11 more per week from £231.56 to £242.67

Overall, the plans will result in an average rent increase of 4.8 per cent, or £6.75 a week, due to the current profile of rents in Kingston. Average rents for people living in council-owned hostels and affordable and shared ownership properties will also rise by up to 4.8 per cent.

The council will make a final decision on its overall budget plans, including for its HRA, on February 26.