ANGLESEY Council tenants are facing a steep rise in their rent payments.
The proposed rise of 4.91 per cent for the 2012-2013 period is 0.7 per cent higher than the national inflation rate, which fell to 4.2 per cent in December and is predicted to fall further over the coming months.
A report presented to the council’s housing and social services committee on Monday recommended the increase, despite acknowledging the economic difficulties facing many tenants at a time when welfare benefits are also being reduced.
“Currently nearly 73 per cent (2,781) of the council’s tenants will face no additional hardship as a consequence of the proposed rent increase, as they are in receipt of housing benefit,” wrote Shan Lloyd Williams, the council’s head of housing services.
“However in the future the welfare benefit reform is bound to impact on our tenants, particularly those in receipt of unemployment benefits, disability benefits and those living in houses which are under-occupying accommodation.
“The current economic climate, together with increases in fuel prices will lead to financial hardship for many of our tenants.”
The report estimated the increase will mean an average weekly rent rise from £61.69 to £64.74 and will add more than £500,000 to the authority’s rental income.
The report said the extra funding was essential to the investments being made by the council to ensure its housing stock meets the Welsh Housing Quality Standard.
Amlwch Councillor Dylan Jones said the rise would leave many tenants hard pressed but added he could see no alternative.
“The council is in a no win position,” he said.
“It’s such a shame but it has to happen.
“But there’s no money coming from anywhere and the most important thing is that we protect frontline services and jobs.”
The rise compares to a 5.45 per cent rise for council tenants in Wrexham and a 4.75 per cent rise for those in Flintshire.