Councillor Anne Rendall

Councillors will be asked to approve a consultation that includes options for next year’s rent increase of 1.5%, 1.75% or 2% with the results of the survey being reported back to elected members in January 2021 to allow them to set the new rent charge.

Councillor Anne Rendall, neighbourhood services convener, said: “The annual rent consultation is an important engagement process. We are offering our tenants three options for next year’s charge, all of which will continue to provide a high-quality service and reflect tenant priorities.

“In addition to providing resources to cover the increased cost of delivering services, all proposed rises will allow for a further increase of £50,000 in the Hardship Fund for tenants who need financial assistance to pay their rent, bringing the overall fund to £500,000.

“All options also include resources to continue to spend on key priorities such as tenancy sustainment, ongoing investment in existing stock, creation of new affordable housing and reducing the level of fuel poverty in the city through improving energy efficiency standards of these homes.

“Our recent survey highlighted that tenants see further investment in energy efficiency through improvements such as external wall insulation to provide warmer, easier to heat homes as a priority. The recently agreed capital investment programme includes planned spend of £41m on energy efficiency over the next five years. Agreement of the second or third rent options would provide additional resources of £2.4m or £4.8m respectively.”

She added: “An informed dialogue with our tenants is very important and last year over 2,500 tenants took the opportunity to give their views.

“Due to safety measures that are in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, this year’s consultation will include further telephone surveying, targeted social media, information on the Council’s website, published guidance on what tenants’ rent pays for, as well as continued discussion and collaboration with the Dundee Federation of Tenants Association and registered tenant organisations.”

The neighbourhood services committee meets on Monday.