Why it matters: The increase will generate £2.2 million in additional income during the 2026-27 financial year, with £5.8 million expected by the end of March 2030, according to council papers.
The details: Councillors backed the proposals at Wednesday night's meeting, which follow government guidance of CPI plus 1% for the 2026-27 financial year.
For social homes owned by the council, the increase equates to an extra £5.07 a week, or just over £20 a month. Garage and hard-standing rents will also increase by 4.8%.
What they're saying: Cllr Alasdair Ross, the authority's lead for housing, said the increase would not be welcome by tenants but stressed the extra money was needed to enable the council to carry out maintenance works and build more homes.
"This adjustment, based on the September CPI rate of 3.8% plus 1%, is essential to maintain and improve our housing stock, deliver new affordable homes for Ipswich, and ensure a financially sustainable service for our tenants," he said.
For context: Despite the increase, the average council rent would remain at around half the price of those in the private sector, which Cllr Ross described as a "bargain" during the meeting.
Council papers showed the move was expected to generate £2.2 million in the 2026-27 financial year, and £5.8 million by the end of March 2030.
The other side: Concerns were raised by opposition councillors, however.
Cllr Ian Fisher, leader of the Conservatives, said the authority was abandoning a growing number of residents who were just about managing.
He suggested rents could go up, but by a smaller amount.
Cllr Martin Cook, who handles the council's books, said raising money through rents was the only way for the council to build more homes as struggling residents continued to be placed on waiting lists.
The bottom line: The rent increase takes effect from 1 April 2026, with the council saying it will use the additional income to maintain existing properties and deliver new affordable housing.
