Those living in Bury’s 7,639 council run homes face an above inflation rent increase which will tenants paying £8 a week more on average.

Documents published this week by the council recommend hiking rents by 7.7 per cent from April this year, the maximum allowed by the government.

That maximum is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for September 2023 of 6.7 per cent, plus another one per cent.

However, inflation, measured by CPI, was down to four per cent in December 2023.

A report on rent setting and housing finance to be discussed by the council’s scrutiny committee next week said the average weekly rent of social homes in Bury will rise from £86.95 to £93.64.

The report also shows a large increase in rent arrears to the council over the past nine months. In April 2023 the authority was owed £1,911,000 in rent by current and former tenants. At the end of last year that figure had risen by £359,000 meaning the overdue rent owed to them was £2,270,000.

The proposed rent increase comes as the council formally takes over responsibility for managing and maintaining its council homes across the borough following the transfer of staff and services from Six Town Housing.

From Thursday, February 1, services like repairs and grounds maintenance are the responsibility of the council.

The council said the aim is to provide a more joined-up service, linking housing and other council services that residents rely on.

More services will be provided online, and the council said tenants will be given a greater say on housing matters.

They have pledged to work with tenant associations and other groups to improve estates and communal areas, tackling anti-social behaviour and neighbour disputes.

A council spokesman said: “There will also be clear plans to improve properties, including improving energy efficiency, and timelines to carry out repairs and adaptations.”

The former Six Town Housing will be re-branded as Bury Council Housing Service on a phased basis. Next Tuesday the overview and scrutiny committee is asked to consider whether they wish to make any recommendations to the council cabinet of the rent setting and housing budget report.

Cabinet will then be asked to approve the the rent rise.