Committee to consider proposed rents for 2010-11
Last updated | 29/01/2010
The budget of the Council’s Housing revenue Account (HRA) and the level of rent payments for Council tenants for 2010/11 will be approved at a meeting of the Housing and Health Committee on Wednesday 3 February.
The Committee will be asked to approve an average weekly rent rise of £1.07 per week (2.1%, representing inflation plus 1%)for Council houses, in accordance with the Housing Business Plan.
The Housing Business Plan, which was approved in January 2004 and agreed with Perth and Kinross Tenants and Residents Federation, has the aim of bringing all of the Council's housing up to the Scottish Quality Housing Standard by 2015. The plan assumed an annual increase in rent of inflation plus 3% until 2010, then an annual increase of 1% plus inflation for the remainder of the plan.
The Tenants and Residents Federation has indicated that it feels the proposed increase is fair. It would give a weekly average rent of £51.87 per week based on a 52-week payment schedule. Assuming that other councils will increase their rents by 3%, Perth and Kinross would have the 10th lowest rents in Scotland out of the 26 local authorities that control their own housing stock.
The Committee will also be asked to approve rent increases of 2.1% for sites for travelling people and hostels, and a rise of 1.1% for garages and garage sites.
Housing and Health Convener, Councillor Peter Barrett, said: “This rent rise is in line with the agreement we have with tenants under the Housing Business Plan, and is the first year of the reduction to 1% plus inflation. The Tenants Federation has agreed that the proposed rise is a fair one. It will improve Perth & Kinross’s overall rent affordability, making us the 10th cheapest.
“The rent strategy we have had in place has allowed us to invest in major improvement schemes to refurbish bathrooms, replace kitchens, install central heating, replace roofs on Council properties and refurbish garages and lock-ups. This shows the Council’s commitment to ensuring our tenants receive the best service possible.
"We are determined that all Council housing meets the Scottish Quality Housing Standard by 2015 and we are well on the way to achieving that. I would like to thank tenants for working with us to ensure that we can deliver the improvements and services they want and need.”
