The value of rental arrears owed to local authorities has increased by more than 70% in the last five years, new research has revealed.
The analysis by Access PaySuite found councils providing social housing are owed on average £3.1m in rental arrears per local authority. This has jumped by 71% from an average of £1.8m in 2019.
Local authorities have also seen a significant rise over the last year with Access PaySuite’s analysis finding a 14% increase when compared to March 2023.
Commenting on the findings, Alex Common, Divisional Director, Product and Engineering, Access PaySuite, said: ‘Social housing budgets have been squeezed significantly over recent years.
‘On top of this, the cost-of-living crisis has caused real difficulties for many people to meet their living costs, whether they rent their property from their local authority, a housing association or a private landlord.’
