District Council proposes social housing rent for 2026 – 27
Posted on: Thursday, February 12, 2026Newark and Sherwood District Council owns around 5,500 homes for social and affordable rent and remains committed to improving services for all tenants. To meet new government legislation and to support tenants to live in better homes, plans have been put in place to see significant investment in the repairs service and in building safety, alongside ongoing improvements to achieve energy efficiency targets by 2030. For these objectives to be achieved, the Council reviews its rent and service charges annually and has approved a rent increase to finance the service improvements.
For District Council homes, an increase of 4.8% has been recommended and will be proposed at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, 20 January and voted on at a Full Council meeting on Tuesday, 10 February 2026 to be applied from Monday, 6 April 2026.
This equates to £4.91 per week for an average three-bedroom home, Council rents present value for money and remain significantly lower than the average rent in a private rented home in the district. The increase, which is in line with government policy, will enable the Council to meet new standards, prepare for future legislation and continue to invest in services that matter most to tenants.
Councillor Lee Brazier, Portfolio Holder for Housing at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “This is a difficult decision we make every year and it’s never one we take lightly.
“Every stock-holding council across the UK faces the same challenge. Unfortunately, increasing running costs for existing services and the need to make improvements to meet government legislation means rent charges needs to reflect that.
“This recommendation will allow us to prioritise and invest more in front-line services, particularly repairs including our newly established damp and mould team to meet the standards of Awaab’s Law and make homes safer for tenants.”
In 2025, Awaab’s Law and the Social Housing Regulation Act came into effect across the UK. This law requires all social housing providers, including District Councils, to have faster response times for damp and mould issues, improved empty homes standards, and enhanced tenant support. Whilst the Council has always responded to repairs involving damp and mound, to meet the requirements of the new standards, the Council has invested in a new dedicated damp and mould team, ensuring quicker interventions and safer homes for tenants - bringing repairs of this nature together in one team.
The District Council also plans to invest £83 million over the next four years to improve existing homes, including projects to improve energy-efficiency of homes and to deliver new affordable homes to replace those lost through Right to Buy - ensuring the long-term sustainability of council housing in Newark and Sherwood.
Even with the increase, rent for Newark and Sherwood District Council social housing remains far below the District and UK average for private renting, with the average three-bedroom privately rented home costing £197.54 per week locally or £333.92 nationally.
A snapshot of data taken in December 2025 estimates that 70% of current tenants receive some help from benefits towards paying their rent and this support will continue.
Councillor Lee Brazier continues: “With every decision like this, we consult with our Tenant Engagement Board. We did this in December 2025, and the Board was supportive of our approach and understood the reasons for the recommendation.
“This has been a difficult decision, and we understand some tenants will be concerned, but support is available for those who need it.
“If you have any concerns or wish to discuss how this will affect you when you receive notification of your new rent charges, please contact us. We have advisors available to discuss your personal circumstances, and we work with partner agencies that can provide specialist support.”
To discuss how the rent change may affect you, please contact the District Council.