Council tennants' rent to rise at SIX times inflation

Feb 13 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

TENANTS are facing a rent rise of nearly 6% – more than six times the rate of inflation.

Kirklees Council’s cabinet has been asked to put up average weekly payments from £59.07 to £62.47.

The 5.75% increase for Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing tenants would come into force on April 6.

Latest figures show inflation is running at just 0.9%.

The cabinet will also consider a series of 5% price rises at its meeting on next Tuesday.

Kirklees officials have proposed increasing average weekly garage rent from £4.10 to £4.30 and parking spaces from £3.52 to £3.70.

Weekly charges for caretakers are due to increase from £5 to £5.25 and for concierges from £11.16 to £11.72.

The council’s deputy leader Clr Kath Pinnock said the Government was forcing Kirklees to impose the above-inflation increases.