Rent levels for Fife Council houses are to go up by 2.5% from April, it has emerged.
No final decision has yet been taken but councillors on the region’s executive committee agreed a 2.5% increase should be put forward as part of budget proposals for Fife Council’s housing revenue account (HRA), which are expected to be rubber-stamped in February.
That means, if agreed, the current average rent will go up by £1.60 per week to £65.68 per week from April 1.
Three different options for a possible rent increase were discussed at this week’s council meeting: a 1.5% rise, a 2.5% increase and a 3.5% hike.
The latter would have seen the rent go up by an average of £2.24 per week, but councillors decided to back the middle way and support the 2.5% rise.
Councillor Judy Hamilton, executive spokeswoman for housing and building services, said: “The annual tenant conference gave Fife Council a chance to consult with tenants around the options for new rent levels for council homes, which will be applied from April 2016.
“Following approval from executive committee, a tenant’s survey will be carried out through the Down Your Street newsletter, which is issued to every tenant in Fife.
“Any rent increase will allow us to continue making improvements and provide warmer, drier, healthier homes for our tenants and I hope people will take the time to give their views and have their say.”
John Mills, head of housing, said: “Fife has some of the lowest management and average rent costs in the country.”
Tenants will be given the chance to have their say on the proposed rise until January 8.