REDDDITCH Borough Council has approved its Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for the year ahead, setting out investment to improve council homes, housing services and regulatory standards.
The HRA is separate from the council tax budget and funded entirely through rents paid by council tenants, alongside occasional government funding.
It will see £12.5million invested in refurbishing homes inside and out, improving fire and building safety, replacing boilers, upgrading electrics, boosting energy efficiency, and tackling cases of disrepair.
With more than 5,500 council homes to maintain, the spending forms part of a rolling multi-year programme where works are planned over the long-term, based on the condition of the housing stock.
A total of £3million was also allocated in the budget to try and grow the number of council homes in Redditch, either by building or buying them.
The budget allocated funding to improve tenant engagement and housing standards is as highlighted by the Regulator of Social Housing in its 2025 inspection.
And updated repairs and maintenance and damp and mould policies will also ensure the council meets legal duties under the recent Awaab’s Law, helping to provide safe, well-maintained homes.
The council also confirmed rents would be set in line with the government’s guideline of inflation plus one per cent this year, or a 4.8 per cent increase.
That means that from April, the average weekly social rent in Redditch will be £111.22 to £173.43 for affordable rent.
Redditch Borough Council’s portfolio holder for housing, Coun Bill Hartnett, said: “This housing budget underlines the council’s commitment to providing safe, well-maintained homes, investing in long term improvements, and supporting tenants.
“We have worked hard to keep the rent increase down and the housing service in Redditch is in a good position.
“We have no budget deficit, adequate reserves, sustainable long-term plans and tenant satisfaction is rising as we continue to invest in better homes and services.”
He added they wanted the positive progress to continue to benefit everyone – tenants, staff and the wider Redditch community.
