West Dunbartonshire Council has announced a new Housing Investment Plan for 2024/25.

Under the plan, some 850 homes will receive new central heating systems, 330 brand new kitchens and 260 new bathroom installations.

This follows an increase in rent by 6.7% which was the preferred option of tenants during the annual rent setting consultation. A record number of tenants participated with 76% voting in favour of the lowest possible increase while still ensuring investment in homes.

The Council is also committed to building more suitable homes for families in the area and bringing others into Council ownership through the Buy Back Scheme.

Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal, Convener of Housing and Communities, said: "We have made every effort to minimise the increase for our tenants while maintaining crucial investment in homes across West Dunbartonshire. Our Housing service has seen a rise in costs due to inflation but we have listened to our tenants in restricting the increase in their rental payments. I want to thank the tenants and the tenants and residents organisations for getting involved.

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"I was delighted that a record number of tenants exercised their right to give their feedback through the rent setting consultation and I continue to urge them to have a voice when it comes to matters which affect them most. We are always keen to hear from our communities on how we can improve and that will not change.”

Councillor Hazel Sorrell, Vice Convener of Housing and Communities, said: "When going into the consultation, we recognised that our tenants were facing the same challenging financial circumstances that many of us are and so keeping as low a rent increase as possible was our main priority.

"The focus has been on reducing costs through efficiencies to allow us to continue to deliver on improvements to our homes ensuring they are of a high standard and energy efficient. After all, it is rent which is paid by our tenants which funds these improvements.

"That's why the capital programme will focus on carrying out installations across the region, updating homes where it is needed the most.”

The successful consultation saw 76% of tenants vote in favour of the 6.7% increase option with councillors agreeing to implement this at a meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council on March 6th.

The increase equates to an average weekly increase to each household of £5.94. All tenants will be sent a letter to formally give notice of the increase.

Help is available for anyone who is concerned about meeting the new payment. Tenants can call the Council on 01389 737788 if they are worried or if they have already missed payments.