Sharp rise in Highland Council rent arrears in Badenoch and Strathspey
Highland Council housing rent arrears for Badenoch and Strathspey have increased by almost 30 per cent in the past year.
The rise prompted concern from local Highland councillors meeting at the latest area committee in Grantown.
Rent arrears for the second quarter of last year (July to September 2023) were £55,611 but for the same period this year had risen to £73,010.
Local member Bill Lobban (Independent) said that whilst the figure remained low, the trend was worrying.
He commented: “Whilst I appreciate the debt is very low, effectively in a 12-month period we have seen an increase of slightly below 30 per cent in rent arrears.
“It is something that we will need to keep an eye on because if the arrears keep increasing at this rate then it will become quite unmanageable.”
Lee Marchi, the council’s principal housing officer, said staff remain focused on early intervention measures and working closely with tenants to reduce the debt.
Gross rent arrears as a percentage of annual rent due was described as ‘incredibly low’ by the council official.
The figure is 3.41 per cent compared to the Highlands average of 7.43 per cent for the latest quarter.
Mr Marchi also said going forward they are going to split rent arrears for Badenoch and for Strathspey in their breakdown of rent arrears so there could be a more focused approach.
