Tenants get say on rents

December 20 is council’s cut off date

Stirling Council tenants have until December 20 to give their views on next year’s rent levels.

A survey is underway giving the authority’s tenants, who number more than 6000, the opportunity to voice their opinions on the council housing budget next financial year.

The cost of running the housing service is estimated to rise by £653,000 in 2020-21. This takes into account budget efficiency savings which must be made, employee costs, inflation and increased loan charges.

Two options have been put forward in the consultation, representing average increases of £2.35 per week or £2.94 per week.

Housing management development service manager Craig Russell said: “We are constantly striving to improve the quality of our stock and the services we can provide to both current and prospective tenants.

“We already have plans in place to invest £17.5 million in our stock and new-builds next year.

“Our rent charges are among the lowest in Scotland and in order to continue repair and maintenance levels across our 5,500-plus homes, and meet increased running costs, rents will have to increase each year.

“We want to hear your thoughts on how much you want your rent to increase by, so we understand what your priorities are and can help councillors make an informed decision at next year’s budget-setting meeting.”

The council was however accused earlier this year of ignoring the views of tenants after councillors agreed to increase housing rents by four per cent.

Housing officials said the extra cash would finance efforts to make housing stock more energy efficient.

However, Hugh McClung, who has sat as chair of Stirling Tenants Association and was awarded an MBE in 2015 for his work on behalf of tenants in Stirling and elsewhere, said the move was contrary to the outcome of a consultation with tenants on the rents rise.

The consultation had offered tenants three rent rise choices: 3.3 per cent, four per cent and five per cent – with the respondents voting for the lowest option.

To take part in the latest survey go to www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Rent2021. The survey is open until 5pm on Friday December 20.

A final decision on any rent rise will be made at a future special council budget meeting next spring.

As well as taking part in the rent consultation, there are other opportunities for residents to have their say, including: attending local Registered Tenant Organisation (RTO) meetings; and/or becoming a member of the tenant panel and/or tenant voices.

For more information contact the council’s independent tenant participation officer Leza Lafferty on 01786 237661.