Tenants to be consulted on rent rises

Council house tenants in Moray are to be consulted over the level of rent increase for the next three years.

In 2013 councillors agreed to raise rents by 4.5% over the following two years followed by a 5% increase for the eight years thereafter to help fund new house building

However, a recommendation that tenants be consulted on an increase of 3.5% or 4%, ahead of February’s budget meeting, was approved by full council today.

The consultation will run until January 13.

Members were told that the housing service’s business plan could sustain investment of 50 new homes a year for the next seven years based on a 3.5% rent increase or 70 new homes over the same period with a 4% increase.

Moray currently has the lowest average rent level among Scottish local authorities.

Moray Council area stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Forres in the west. The council and its 4,500 employees respond to the needs of 95,510 residents in this beautiful part of Scotland, which nestles between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands.

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live.

Headquartered in  Elgin, the administrative capital of Moray.