No final decision has yet been taken but councillors on the region’s executive committee have proposed the increase as the preferred option to be put forward as part of budget proposals for Fife Council’s housing revenue account (HRA), which are expected to be rubber-stamped in February.

If agreed, the current average rent will go up by £1.60 per week to £65.68 per week from April 1.

Options for a 1.5 per cent and a 3.5 per cent rise were also discussed at this week’s council meeting.

The latter would have seen the rent go up by an average of £2.24 per week, but councillors decided to back the middle way and support the 2.5 per cent rise.

Councillor Judy Hamilton, executive spokeswoman for housing and building services, said: “The annual tenant conference gave Fife Council a chance to consult with tenants around the options for new rent levels for council homes, which will be applied from April 2016.

“Following approval from executive committee, a tenant’s survey will be carried out through the Down Your Street newsletter, which is issued to every tenant in Fife.

“Any rent increase will allow us to continue making improvements and provide warmer, drier, healthier homes for our tenants and I hope people will take the time to give their views and have their say.”

John Mills, head of housing, added: “Fife has some of the lowest management and average rent costs in the country.”

Tenants have until January 8th, 2016 to give their views before councillors take final budget decisions in February next year. The new rent level will be applied from April 2016.

@FifeCouncil