Every year we review how much rent you pay. We look at the money spent over the past year and calculate how much we will need to invest in our homes and run our services for the coming year, whilst striving to keep our rent remains affordable.
We recognise that many of you are facing ongoing financial pressures due to the cost-of-living crisis. Whilst inflation rates have eased these take time to be reflected in household bills and we are very mindful of this, whilst also having to be realistic about our operating costs.
Over recent years the costs of providing our services have risen considerably, with some costs rising by over 25%, but we have held rent increases below inflation.
Cairn is a not-for-profit charity which exists to provide good quality homes at affordable rents. We strive to keep rents as low as possible and try to minimise costs but ultimately most of Cairn’s income comes from rent.
This year, we are proposing a rent increase of 3.9%. This is the minimum we can afford that will still allow us to maintain our services to you, such as carrying out repairs, and making improvements to your home.
There are several challenges when trying to set the annual rent increase. These include:
- Keeping rents affordable
- Meeting the costs of maintaining homes to the Scottish Quality Housing Standard and Energy Efficiency Standard
- Being able to carry out repairs and essential maintenance such as gas servicing
- Delivering effective services to our tenants, whilst taking account of changes and improvements required
- Dealing with increasing costs for delivering services and investment
- Meeting our obligations to our lenders
- Ensuring that Cairn remains financially stable now and in the future.
Other Charges
If you pay a heating charge or service charge, then your new charge will be confirmed in February before any changes are applied on 1 April 2025.
What happens next?
The Board will be meeting in January 2025 to look at your feedback and make a final decision. We will write to you to let you know the outcome. We will give you at least 28 days’ notice before the new rent is applied on 1 April 2025.
We would like to hear your views on the proposed rent increase. Please email enquiries@cairnha.com, fill in our online form, submit your feedback in writing, or give us a call on 0800 990 3405.
The consultation will close on 24th December 2024.
If you are experiencing financial problems, then our dedicated income team are here to help. The sooner we know, the sooner we can help. Please get in touch.
