Caerphilly tenants face rent hike (From South Wales Argus)

Caerphilly tenants face rent hike

9:20am Saturday 11th February 2012 in News By Jessica Best

RESIDENTS living in Caerphilly council houses will face a rent increase of four per cent from April 2012, equivalent to an extra £2.89 a week.

The local authority's cabinet agreed to the increase at a meeting on Tuesday, which will bring in an extra £1.5 million for the council.

A report said a failure to introduce increased charges would result in a "detrimental effect" in subsequent years, as even higher increases would be needed to cover the shortfall.

The increase will bring the average weekly rent up to £75.09, from £72.20.

A report to the cabinet said a rent increase which was less than the guidelines recommended by the Welsh Government would reduce the council's ability to maintain the housing stock to the necessary standard.

The council's 13,300 tenants are currently in the middle of a 28-day ballot asking whether they want properties to remain in council hands, or transfer to social landlord Castell Mynydd. It is due to close on February 17.

The cabinet also agreed on Tuesday to increase the service charge in the borough's four sheltered schemes without community facilities from £14.77 to £15.07 a week from April 2012, while service charges in sheltered complexes with communal facilities will be raised from £21.28 to £21.71.

The council said 80 per cent of tenants in the former and 75 per cent of tenants in the latter receive benefits so will not pay the charge.

There will also be increases in the cost of service charges and meals at Tredegar Court in Caerphilly, and charges at Ty Croeso in Penyrheol.

Charges for community alarms for council and non-council tenants will increase from £2.90 to £3 a week - although again 76 per cent of tenants receive benefits and will not pay the charge. Garage charges for council and non-council tenants will go up to £7.35 a week from £7.20.