Bracknells Housing Rents

9.46.45am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 12th May 2009

Figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats show that over 2m social tenants have missed out on the Government's pledge to halve the increase the increase in council rents this year.

People who live in housing association homes have been excluded from the Government's promise despite the fact that they make up half of all social tenants and already pay an average of 13% more in rent than council tenants.

In Bracknell Forest this means that over 7,500 homes owned by registered social landlords, including those which were transferred from Bracknell Forest Borough Council to Bracknell Forest Homes, face an increase this year of 6.2% instead of 3.1%.

The average weekly rent for a housing association tenant in the South East is about £80 so the decision not to halve the rent increase for these tenants will cost them an additional £120 a year.

When the council's housing stock was transferred to the new housing association last year, amid much publicity, tenants were given to understand that the new landlord would provide more benefits than the council could provide. However, these benefits clearly came at a price.

In addition to less security and a significant loss of independence it now seems there are financial penalties as well. A change of Government would undoubtedly help the situation but only the Liberal Democrats are committed to providing more affordable housing and increasing the stock of social housing to deal with the ever-growing housing crisis that threatens to overwhelm us.

Ray Earwicker

Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Bracknell