Dundee rents could rise by 2.5% to bankroll a programme of new council house building and energy efficiency measures.
Elected members are expected to rubber-stamp the increase at a meeting of the city council’s housing committee on Monday.
The administration said the rise was needed to ensure the council can push ahead with its “ambitious plans” for the city.
Opponents, however, claimed that the additional house-building required to meet Dundee’s needs could have been achieved at less cost to residents.
If backed, the proposed rent increase would come into force in April and would equate to an average of £1.69 more per council house, per week.
Councillor John Alexander, who heads the housing committee, said tenants had “backed” proposals for “the second lowest rise in a decade” following an eight-week consultation.
In fact, he claimed some of those who took part had even suggested a greater rise of 3%, so impressed were they by the improvements previous rises had brought.
Previous increases have enabled the council to install energy efficient gas central heating systems, new kitchens and bathrooms and thermal insulation.
Those programmes will continue over the next year, while the increase will also enable the council to create new housing.
“We always seek to strike a balance between our rent level and the investment required to meet our tenants’ expectations,” said the committee’s depute convener Kevin Cordell.
“We have ambitious plans for the city, with housing being central to the ongoing regeneration.”
Mr Cordell said he was “conscious” of the impact UK Government welfare reforms could have upon residents and promised that a housing action plan was in place to “mitigate the impact of the charges”.
Labour group housing spokesman Brian Gordon, however, said he believed addressing the city’s housing needs could have been achieved with a lower rise.
“During the consultation the Labour group put forward a proposal for a 2% increase, hoping to give tenants a choice, given the current economic situation.”
A number of other charges were also reviewed, with proposals that those for garage lock-ups, underground parking bays and garage sites remain at current levels for the fourth year. The service charge forsheltered housing would also remain.
mmackay@thecourier.co.uk