East Lothian councillors have agreed to increase rent on council homes by 4.3 per cent for 2012/13.

The decision was taken at a full East Lothian Council meeting on Tuesday 14 February.

Councillors heard that the proposed figure of 4.3 per cent had been put out to consultation, as happens every year. Every council tenant in East Lothian had the opportunity to fill in a questionnaire about the proposed increase and how income from rent is spent. They could also respond to the consultation by phone or in writing.

More tenants than ever responded and the vast majority (84.6 per cent) thought the increase was fair. Most council tenants who responded thought the rent they paid was good value for money and they thought that the council should continue to deliver its housing services without cutting back on existing services.

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The average rent on a two bedroom council house will rise from £100.18 per fortnight to £104.49 per fortnight.

Councillor Stuart Currie, Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety, said: "To support our existing tenants, we will continue our modernisation programme. We installed over 600 new kitchens and 300 new bathrooms during 2011/12 as part of this programme. We will also continue with our work to make sure our houses meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard as a minimum by 2015.

"We introduced the ‘East Lothian Standard’ that goes beyond this requirement and delivers a higher quality of housing. Our new build housing programme will see 131 new homes built in Tranent, Musselburgh and Whitecraig during 2011/12. Further new homes are also scheduled for completion throughout 2012/13 in Macmerry, Tranent and Prestonpans."

(GK/DW)