Rental arrears owed to local authorities have climbed by 55% since 2019, according to a new analysis.
Despite social rents falling in real terms over the past decade, councils providing social housing are now owed an average of £2.86m each — up from £1.85m in 2019 and 5% higher than last year, according to Access PaySuite’s 2025 Rental Arrears Index.
Freedom of Information data from 100 councils shows the number of homes in arrears has also risen, up 1.9% in the past year and 5.3% over six years. Average arrears per tenant now stand at £669, a 35% increase since 2019.
If applied across all 229 councils that own social homes, total arrears could reach £655m.
Access PaySuite’s Alex Common said rising arrears reflect ‘serious long-term risks’ for council finances and vulnerable tenants.
