New data has revealed that rising social housing rent arrears are putting growing pressure on council finances.
In Yorkshire and the Humber, local authorities are owed an average of £5.79 million in unpaid rent, according to recent research.
The findings, from public sector payments specialist Access PaySuite, part of the Access Group, are based on Freedom of Information requests and form part of the 2025 Rental Arrears Index.
Across the UK, the average arrears per local authority stand at £2.86 million.
Only London records a higher regional average than Yorkshire and the Humber, with £6.8 million owed per authority.
Alex Common, product and engineering director at Access PaySuite, said: "While social housing rents have fallen significantly in real terms over the past 10 years, many households are still struggling to keep up with payments.
"Economic uncertainty, welfare changes and rising living costs mean rental arrears continue to place a significant strain on local authorities and the communities they serve."
He warned that the total value of rental arrears across the UK could reach £655 million.
Mr Common added: "The data reveals a persistent and troubling rise in the level of tenant debt that continues to outpace growth in the proportion of households in arrears, which signals serious long-term risks."
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