Wolverhampton Council tenants will see rent rise
Rents are set to rise more than double the rate of inflation for council tenants in Wolverhampton, it was revealed today.
Housing bosses are consulting tenants on raising rents by five, six or seven per cent from next April. But Wolverhampton Homes, which runs 23,500 properties, said it is not increasing its budget and the rises would help offset some cuts.
A rent rise of five per cent would still result in a £839,000 cut in the budget for work next year. This would mean garage sites could not be improved and shops which could be converted into flats would be left as they are.
If a six per cent rise is introduced there would be no cuts and planned works would continue, while at seven per cent communal areas would be renovated and landscaping and environmental work would be carried out in Heath Town.
The average rent is currently £72.39 per home per week following a 5.6 per cent rise imposed in April 2012.
Residents would pay on average £188 to £263.50 a year more as a result.
Philip Toni, director of resources at Wolverhampton Homes, said: "The important thing is that tenants must be listened to."