Public pressure sees council house rent rise pegged at 3%

RENT increases for council house tenants in East Lothian have been capped at three per cent for 2010/11 following a public consultation into the proposed rises.

The decision was taken at a special meeting of East Lothian Council last week, where its budget was approved. The proposed increase was subject to a six-week consultation period where tenants were able to comment on the council's housing priorities.

The increase brings the council's average weekly rent to 45.96.

Councillor Stuart Currie, the council's housing leader, said: "We carefully considered tenants' views on the consultation when making the decision about rent rises for the year ahead – particularly concerns from tenants about the effects a rise could have.

"We will work to make business efficiencies that will not compromise the services we currently deliver to our tenants, or our modernisation and new-build programmes."

At the meeting, the council also agreed to spend 11 million upgrading and modernising existing council properties and 17.4m on new affordable housing. An additional 20m has been set-aside to accelerate the council's new build programme.

Cllr Currie added: "Over the past two years we have been very successful in our applications to the Scottish Government for funding."