Dudley Council has paused plans to implement a borough‑wide 4.8% rent increase for council tenants, a decision announced on February 3, 2026. The proposed rise is now subject to a rapid 14‑day review to consider whether it can be reduced or frozen.
Under the original proposals, the average weekly rent for council tenants would have risen to about £103.94 from April 2026 (an average increase of roughly £4.76 per week). Council leaders say they will use the two‑week review period to consider the latest financial data before deciding how much residents will have to pay.
The pause follows reports that the ring‑fenced Housing Revenue Account (HRA) holds a surplus of about £24.9 million. Council Leader Cllr Patrick Harley — who is Leader of Dudley Council and a councillor for Kingswinford South — said the authority has moved away from the immediate threat of bankruptcy after making difficult decisions, and that this stronger position allows the council to re‑examine how it supports tenants.
Local tenant groups and opposition councillors had previously warned that higher rents, combined with a planned service charge averaging £12.46 per week for homes with communal areas, would make housing unaffordable for some residents. The final budget decision is expected to be taken at Full Council on February 23, 2026.
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