The Group Finance Director (Section 151 Officer) has submitted a report to present the outcome of Oxford City Council’s (the council’s) annual rent review and associated rent setting proposal for 2026/27 in respect of all council dwellings within the Housing Revenue Account, including the setting of associated services and facilities charges.

Recommendation: That Council resolves to:

1.    Approve an increase of 4.8% + up to £2 for rent convergence (max) for 2026/27 (subject to any subsequent cap on increases imposed by central government) in social dwelling rents from 1st April 2026 giving an average weekly increase of £8.47 per week, and a revised weekly average social rent of £143.40 as set out in the Financial Implications section of this report.

2.    Approve an increase to rents for shared ownership dwellings as outlined in paragraph 21 of the Financial Implications.

3.    Approve an increase to service charges by 4.8% (CPI + 1%) to enable the HRA to recover the associated cost of supply.

4.    Approve an increase to the charge for a garage of 5.0%, equating to an increase of £1.00 per week for a standard garage within a curtilage with a revised charge of £21.00 per week.

5.    Approve an increase to the rent and service charges for General Fund Temporary Accommodation as set out in the Financial Implications section of this report.

Council resolved to:

1.       Approve an increase of 4.8% + up to £2 for rent convergence (max) for 2026/27 (subject to any subsequent cap on increases imposed by central government) in social dwelling rents from 1st April 2026 giving an average weekly increase of £8.47 per week, and a revised weekly average social rent of £143.40 as set out in the Financial Implications section of this report.

2.       Approve an increase to rents for shared ownership dwellings as outlined in paragraph 21 of the Financial Implications.

3.       Approve an increase to service charges by 4.8% (CPI + 1%) to enable the HRA to recover the associated cost of supply.

4.       Approve an increase to the charge for a garage of 5.0%, equating to an increase of £1.00 per week for a standard garage within a curtilage with a revised charge of £21.00 per week.

5.       Approve an increase to the rent and service charges for General Fund Temporary Accommodation as set out in the Financial Implications section of this report.

The Group Finance Director (Section 151 Officer) submitted a report to show the outcome of Oxford City Council’s annual rent review and associated rent setting proposal for 2026/27 in respect of all Council dwellings within the Housing Revenue Account, including the setting of associated services and facilities charges.

Councillor Linda Smith introduced the report, acknowledging the ongoing cost of living crisis but stated that reducing rent prices was not feasible. The housing revenue account business plan required maximising the income to fund investments in Council properties, repairs, landlord services and new homes. Councillor Smith stated that she was pleased that the government indicated it would allow Council landlords to move toward rent convergence, noting that long term tenants had paid less than newer ones due to past calculation methods. She noted that the report agreed to increase the legacy rents by up to £2 a week in addition to the 4.8% rise.

Councillor Smowton asked why there had been a decrease in temporary accommodation charges in paragraph 32 of the report. Councillor Smith explained that lower than expected energy costs created a surplus, allowing a reduction in energy charges for temporary accommodation to reflect actual costs.

On being seconded by Councillor Brown, the recommendations were put to the vote and agreed.

Council resolved to:

1.       Approve an increase of 4.8% + up to £2 for rent convergence (max) for 2026/27 (subject to any subsequent cap on increases imposed by central government) in social dwelling rents from 1st April 2026 giving an average weekly increase of £8.47 per week, and a revised weekly average social rent of £143.40 as set out in the Financial Implications section of this report.

2.       Approve an increase to rents for shared ownership dwellings as outlined in paragraph 21 of the Financial Implications.

3.       Approve an increase to service charges by 4.8% (CPI + 1%) to enable the HRA to recover the associated cost of supply.

4.       Approve an increase to the charge for a garage of 5.0%, equating to an increase of £1.00 per week for a standard garage within a curtilage with a revised charge of £21.00 per week.

5.       Approve an increase to the rent and service charges for General Fund Temporary Accommodation as set out in the Financial Implications section of this report.