The Department of Social Care is announcing that the annual increase in public sector rents with effect from 7 April 2014 will be 5% (five per cent).
The average rent rise for general housing will be less than £4 per week, with a typical 3-bed house paying £85 per week. The average rise for sheltered housing will be just over £3 per week, and the average rent for a sheltered unit being £60 per week. Households on income-related benefits (approximately a quarter of the total) will be largely unaffected.
The increased rents will still be significantly less than the cost of the equivalent private sector housing on the Island.
The Minister for Social Care Hon Chris Robertshaw MHK commented:
'The rent increase of 5% this year is to appreciate the impact of significant increases over the last two years, whilst accepting there is a need to reduce the financial impact on the Tax payer of Public Sector Housing provision.
As previously announced, my Department will be progressing with means tested rents from 2015. This will provide a mechanism for an equitable rent that reflects both the property and a tenant’s ability to pay.'
