Rent rise one of the lowest in city’s history

COUNCIL tenant rent rates in Dundee will go up by 1.25% from April — one of the lowest increases in the city’s history, according to a city councillor.

Councillors voted i n favour of the small rise to rents yesterday, after a citywide consultation with tenants showed an overwhelming number supported the increase.

Residents were consulted between November 1 and December 31 of last year and offered t hree options on the l evel of increase they would like to see implemented.

By opting for option one, an offer of a 1.25% increase on rent, residents were told they will see the current service standards maintained by the council — which was preferred by 59% of residents.

That will see the rent for residents in council-owned properties go up on average by 87p a week, with a maximum increase of £1.25, which will come into effect from April 3.

By approving the increase of 1.25%, an additional £569,000 will be generated in income, resulting in the housing revenue account being “self-balancing” in 2017/18.

Addressing the neighbourhood services committee, convener Councillor John Alexander said the consultation process had been a very worthwhile exercise.

He said: “The last three years have seen the lowest increases to council rent rates in Dundee history.

“I think that is a record of achievement, and a record to be proud of... over the last five years, we have seen record i nvestment, low rent i ncreases and happy residents.”

The Dundee Federation Te n a n t s A s s o c i a t i o n s (DFTA) indicated they supported the 1.25% increase, but still had concerns about the implications of future budget decisions.