Dundee city councillors have approved a rent increase for 2013/14, which means the average tenant will have to pay an extra £3.15 per week. The maximum rise will be £4 per week.
At Monday night’s meeting, Labour councillor Brian Gordon proposed cutting £189,000 from the relet budget, which is used to ensure empty houses and flats being let to new tenants are in good condition.
He said this would pay for an extra two housing officers to carry out home visits to deter the kind of vandalism that often affects council properties. It would also enable the rent rise to be limited to 4.75%.
Labour group leader Kevin Keenan said more than 50 homes a year needed repairs costing over £5,000.
Housing director Elaine Zwirlein said: “The relet standard has been well received by tenants. Any reduction in the budget would obviously have an impact on that.”
SNP housing convener Jimmy Black said: “It’s a scandal we are a victim of criminal acts.”
He argued that reducing the relet budget would mean cutting jobs in the environment department, which is responsible for repairs.
Administration leader Ken Guild said the 5% rent rise was needed to ensure council houses met the Scottish housing quality standard by 2015.
The increase was approved by 18 votes to 10.