Tenants of Kingston Council in South London are set to experience significant rent increases from April 2026, with weekly payments rising by an average of £6.75. The council has approved hikes of up to 4.8 per cent, which represents the maximum allowable increase under current government guidelines.
Budgetary Pressures and Housing Projects
The rent adjustments, which were formally approved by the council's people committee on February 3 with eight votes in favour, one against and one abstention, will see average weekly rents climb from £140.70 to £147.45 for the 2026/27 financial year. These increases are in addition to existing service charges that tenants must pay.
Council officials have emphasised that the additional rental income is essential for financing ambitious housing plans managed through the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). This ringfenced budget is specifically designated for managing, maintaining and developing the council's housing stock.
Major Redevelopment Plans
The council's proposed HRA budget for schemes between 2026 and 2030 stands at £105 million. A substantial portion of this funding will support the major redevelopment of the 832-home Cambridge Road Estate, which is scheduled to be transformed into 2,170 new homes.
Additional projects include developing smaller housing sites across the borough and implementing essential repairs and improvements to existing properties. Lib Dem councillor Emily Davey, portfolio holder for housing, described the authority's housing plans as "so exciting" during the committee meeting.
She highlighted that beyond new construction, the budget would enable the council to address critical maintenance issues including damp and mould remediation, alongside decarbonisation initiatives designed to reduce residents' energy bills.
Government Guidelines and Rent Structure
The 4.8 per cent maximum increase aligns with government policy for housing associations and councils across England for the 2026/27 period. This figure is calculated based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising by 3.8 per cent in the twelve months to September 2024, with an additional 1 per cent permitted on top.
Rent levels for council tenants are determined by property size, with Kingston Council providing detailed breakdowns of how the increases will affect different household types. The weekly adjustments vary significantly depending on the number of bedrooms in each property.
Detailed Rent Increases by Property Size
- Bedsit: £5.22 increase from £108.83 to £114.05 weekly
- One bedroom: £5.92 increase from £123.37 to £129.29 weekly
- Two bedrooms: £6.83 increase from £142.29 to £149.12 weekly
- Three bedrooms: £7.76 increase from £161.71 to £169.47 weekly
- Four bedrooms: £8.57 increase from £178.52 to £187.09 weekly
- Five bedrooms: £9.76 increase from £203.32 to £213.08 weekly
- Six bedrooms or more: £11.11 increase from £231.56 to £242.67 weekly
These variations result in an overall average rent increase of 4.8 per cent, or £6.75 weekly, reflecting the current distribution of property sizes within Kingston's council housing portfolio. The increases will also apply to residents living in council-owned hostels and affordable and shared ownership properties, with similar maximum percentages.
Council Justification and Future Decisions
A report prepared by council officers stated clearly: "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 will make its final decision regarding the overall budget plans, including specific allocations for the Housing Revenue Account, during a meeting scheduled for February 26. This decision will formalise the financial framework that will govern housing management and development in Kingston for the coming years.
The rent increases come at a time when many London residents are facing financial pressures, but council representatives argue that the additional revenue is essential for maintaining and improving housing standards across the borough.
