We use cookies to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing experience.

Click 'Accept all cookies' to agree to all cookies that collect anonymous data. To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only.' Visit 'Set cookie preferences' to control specific cookies.

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Getting Good Value from Rent and Service Charges

This section covers value for money, rents and service charges.

Value for Money Standard

To meet the value for money standard we must manage our business so that tenants, owners and other customers receive services that provide continually improving value for the rent and other charges they pay.

Following the review by the Council and in consultation with our tenants, the average weekly rent increase applied for financial year 2026/27 was 6% compared to the Scottish Local Authority average of 5.9%.

Percentage of tenants who feel their rent represents good value for money

2019 2023 2026 2025/26
Scottish LA Average
86.02% 94.66% 87.56% 80.9%

The latest Tenant Satisfaction and Aspiration Survey 2026 shows that there has been a substantial decrease in the percentage of tenants who feel their rent represents good value for money in comparison to the 2023 survey. This may in part reflect the rent restructuring review carried out in 2024/25 with new rent levels introduces in 2025/26, together with rising cost-of-living pressures. Further analysis is required to better understand the reasons for this change and identify any underlying factors influencing tenant perceptions. Nevertheless, with the average weekly rent of £93.95 compared to the Scottish Local Authority average of £94.72, the value for money perceptions remain significantly higher than the Scottish Local Authority average.

Rents and Service Charges Standard

To meet the rents and service charges standard we set rents and charges in consultation with tenants and other customers so that we find the correct balance between providing the level of services required, the cost of these services and whether current and future tenants and service users can afford them.

Rent collected

  2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 Scottish LA Average
Rent collected as percentage of total rent due 99.05% 99.21% 99.16% 99.6%

Performance in rent collection continues to be steady and is in line with the Scottish Local Authority average. Our Housing Officers work hard to engage with the tenants and ensure that they pay their rent on time. The staff will work with tenants to try to deal with any rent issues at the outset once they are discovered.

Furthermore, there continues to be increased efforts in collecting rent from both current and former arrears.

Rent Arrears

  2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 Scottish LA Average
Rent arrears as percentage of total rent due 11.15% 7.25% 7.04% 8.3%

Gross rent arrears have reduced from 7.25% in 2024/25 to 7.04% in 2025/26, representing a positive outcome despite ongoing cost-of-living crisis and its impact on some of our tenants’ ability to pay their rent on time. This reflects the continued focus on early intervention and a person-centred approach by the Tenancy Management Team. Additional support through the Aberlour Hardship Fund has also provided targeted assistance to vulnerable tenants, helping to reduce arrears, prevent escalation of debt and support tenancy sustainment.

Void Rent Loss

  2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 Scottish LA Average
% of rent due lost through properties being empty 1.34% 0.82% 0.84% 1.5%

Our void rent loss figures continue to remain stable, with performance significantly better than the Scottish Local Authority Average. Combined effort from the repairs team and housing officers ensure that properties are returned quickly and applicants are signed up to properties promptly. This reduces the time homes remain empty, helping to minimise rent loss and make the best use of our housing stock.

Former Tenant arrears written off

Year Total Value Percentage
2023/24 £1,772,416 2.65%
2024/25 £736,233 61.23%
2025/26 £70,794 5.54%
2025/26 Scottish LA Average   24.9%

Following the establishment of the new Rent Arrears Team within the Housing Service, there has been an increased focus on recovering unpaid rent from former tenants. All former tenant cases are managed through a new system that helps identify which cases need action, as well as cases where tenants have passed away, cannot be traced, or already have legal decisions in place ensuring that each case is handled properly. In turn, this has helped minimise the value and percentage of arrears needing to be written off.

All former and current rent arrear cases are dealt with in line with a revised Housing Current and Former Tenant Rent Arrears Policy approved in November 2025, ensuring a clear, consistent and cost-effective approach to debt recovery processes.

Back to top