An opposition councillor has criticised the plan.
Pendleton Together manages properties around Salford on behalf of the council (Image: LDRS)
Social housing tenants in Salford could pay £200 more over a year in rent if new proposals by the council are approved. Plans have been made by Salford council to increase rent by four percent in 2026/27 for properties it owns which are managed by Pendleton Together.
It would mean an average rent hike of £4 per week across 52 weeks according to a council report. A council report explained that freezing rents would cause a deficit, which is not allowed under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
It stated: ‘Rent would increase from its current average level of £102.18 per week on a 52-week basis to £106.27. ‘Tenants currently pay rent on a 48-week basis giving a weekly increase of £4.43 from £110.70 to £115.13.’
The proposals include changes to service charges ‘in line with the costs of providing those services’.
Salford council’s report revealed that the proposed 2026/27 service charge for CCTV/concierge includes an £11,656 adjustment for the costs of delivering the service during 2024/25, as opposed to the estimated cost.
Council leaders are meeting next week to discuss the proposal (Picture: Jason Roberts / Manchester Evening News)
Salford Mayor Paul Dennett and his cabinet team are meeting next week to discuss the move and make a decision. It comes after social housing rents went up by around £20 a month for some Pendleton Together tenants last year.
The council’s report added: ‘The council is required to implement a fair and equitable charging policy to residents for the services which they receive.
‘Each year costs are calculated based on a combination of actual and estimated costs. Where costs have been estimated, these are reconciled to reflect the actual costs in following years.’
A Salford council spokesperson said the plans will be discussed in full during the cabinet meeting on January 13.
They added: “At the cabinet meeting we will discuss a series of measures to ensure the quality of standards in our housing stock in Pendleton.
“Proposals are to increase rents by four per cent, alongside adjustments to service charges (where applicable) in line with the actual cost of delivering these services to customers.
“The government has reaffirmed that authorities are expected to set reasonable and transparent service charges which reflect the cost of services being provided to tenants. Councillors will discuss this item in full detail at the meeting where a decision will be made.
“The council acknowledges residents may be struggling with the cost of living, and we have invested significantly in support for residents who need it, through Salford Assist, our local Winter Support Payment and by expanding our Welfare Rights and Debt Advice team.
“There is also the £25,000 Pendleton Hardship Fund for 2026 – 27 that we have committed to, in a bid to help residents as much as we can.”
But the proposal has drawn criticism from Salford council’s Conservative opposition group.
“This latest rent increase is yet another blow for residents across Salford,” said Councillor Adam Kealey.
“With the cost of living still rising, this was a clear opportunity for the Labour-run council to show they understand the pressure people are under. Instead, they’ve chosen to push through another rent hike, following increases in previous years.
“Labour may claim to stand up for local residents, but decisions like this tell a very different story.”