New rent scheme ‘not fair’

“Now tenants in hard-to-heat homes will go on subsidising those in new, low-cost houses.” David Dempsey

FIFE COUNCIL has “missed an opportunity” to make council house rents fairer, according to Conservative Group leader David Dempsey.

Mr Dempsey proposed what he described as a “simple scheme” to adjust rents upward and downward based on energy-efficiency ratings. This, he said, would raise the same income and could be phased in gently.

However, after failing to f ind support at Fife Council’s Executive Committee because it was felt it would be too complicated, Mr Dempsey said tenants in hard-to-heat homes would go on subsidising those in new, low-cost houses.

He said: “Rents are based on the type of property — house, flat etc — and the number of bedrooms. Nothing else matters, so an easy-to-heat house attracts the same rent as a hard to heat one.

“That’s not fair. An energy- eff icient fridge costs more but you get that back in lower running costs. Why not the same for houses, as would apply anywhere outside the public sector?

“Now tenants in hard-to-heat homes will go on subsidising those in new, low-cost houses. That’s not fair. It’s a missed opportunity.”

The committee voted overwhelmingly in favour of a scheme that will allow Fife Council tenants to have their say on potential rent rises next year.

The council has plans to invest more than £85 million in affordable housing and deliver 2,700 affordable homes over the next four years.

Tenants are being given three options on potential rent increases to help fund further investment.

Council depute leader David Ross said: “We will be consulting with tenants over the next few weeks to get their views on the rent-increase options available.

“The average rent charge for a Fife Council home during 2013/14 is £59.44. This could rise to £62.53 per week if tenants chose the highest rent increase option, which, in turn, would allow the council to invest even more in improvement works and new homes.

“A lower rent increase could mean cutting back on improvements and new house building.”

Tenants will have until Monday January 13 to give their views. The new rent level will be applied from April. Tenants can have their say by using a form delivered with the latest Down Your Street publication or by going online to www.fifedirect.org.uk/rentsurvey2013.

Picture: George McLuskie. Fife Provost Jim Leishman paid an earlymorning visit to Royal Mail’s Dunfermline delivery office yesterday to pass on Christmas wishes and encouragement to the postmen and women at their busiest time of year. From left: Gary Mason, John Gallagher,...