Rent setting consultation

COUNCIL HOUSE tenants in Dundee could be consulted on three proposed rent increases between 3.5 and 4% if councillors back the move next week.

Members of the neighbourhood regeneration, housing and estate management committee will be asked to approve discussions with tenants on annual increases ranging from an average of £2.90 to £3.32 per week.

During the two-month consultation as many tenants as possible will be encouraged to share their views on the three options before a report is prepared and considered in January.

Mark Flynn committee convener said: “As in previous years the options offer tenants a balanced choice between services remaining at the same high standard they have now or giving the council additional resources to spend more on the things tenants have told us that they want, such as improved energy efficiency.

“However, this year when the figures were being worked out we were extremely conscious of striking the difficult balance between continuing to deliver quality services as prices rise and the cost of living crisis bites, and affordability, not just for the many hard-pressed Dundonians, but also for increasingly stretched council finances.

“That is why we want to encourage as many tenants as possible to take part and make their voices heard on which rent increase proposal they prefer from the three options for 2024/25. Each option outlines what tenants will get in return for their money and the wider benefits that level of increase would bring to the whole of Dundee.”

In a recent poll, city tenants chose improving energy efficiency as their number one priority, followed by helping tenants keep their tenancies, increase housing supply and environmental improvements.

Figures show that more than 17% of those eligible participated in last year’s consultation exercise, and taking part has been made just as easy this time round with a number of local community events, discussions with Registered Tenants Organisations and information on the council's website.

There will also be targeted use of relevant social media and detailed guidance for tenants to help them understand what their rent pays for.

The neighbourhood regeneration, housing and estate management committee meets on Monday (October 23).

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