Improving existing council homes is our priority

More than £100 million over the next 5 years is to be invested to maintain and improve houses and flats for council tenants.

A £102 million housing repairs programme will give priority to fixing roofs, damp and mould works, fire safety and energy efficiency works.

In 2023 to 2024, £25.5 million is set to be spent on repairs.

All of this comes on top of £39 million towards building new council homes as part of Harlow Council’s housebuilding programme.

The funding was agreed as part of the council’s budget in February.

This year there will be a below inflation increase for housing rents at 7% which is in line with government guidelines. This means the average weekly rent for council tenants increases by £6.82 per week to £104.18.

Councillor Russell Perrin, Leader of Harlow Council, said:

“There will be over £25 million this year to improve the standard of council homes. I know many of our tenants have concerns about damp and mould, roofing and the energy efficiency of their homes.

“That’s why, along with fire safety, we will be prioritising these issues which will be funded through the income we receive from rent.

“Our rent increase is below inflation and below the rising costs the council faces as a result of inflation and increasing energy costs.

“The rent increase means that the average rent for a council home in Harlow will be just over £104 a week, which is still considerably less that renting a private property.”