Council tenants to have their say on proposed rent rises

Fife Council tenants are being given a say on how much more they pay in rent next year.

Tenants will be consulted on three options – a 3%, 3.5% or 4% increase – throughout December and January.

The local authority has pledged it will take their views into account when a final decision is agreed at the budget meeting in February.

Consultation documents and response forms will be coming out with the Down Your Street magazine, which is being delivered to every council tenant in Fife.

Community and housing services convener Judy Hamilton said: “This is tenants’ money and it is absolutely essential that they are consulted and have the opportunity to decide how much they pay.”

Rents go into the housing revenue account which is used to improve homes and build new houses so the rate of increase will determine how much money is available for future projects.

Mrs Hamilton added: “Our tenants told us that fuel poverty is a very serious issue for them and over the next three years, we will be investing £12.8 million in heating, windows and doors, to give our tenants warmer, drier, healthier homes. After we met with our tenant representatives, we recognised that rents do need to be increased in order to maintain standards and to complete these additions.

“We are suggesting options of 3%, 3.5% or a 4% increase to cover costs going forward. And we are asking tenants to vote on these, or suggest alternatives.”

The options were tested out at a series of tenant gatherings. Half of those who took part said they preferred a 3.5% rise over a three-year period.