Each year the Co-op consults on its rent increase.

For the 2020 rent increase, our consultation ran from 25/11/19 to 20/12/19.

The Co-op consulted on a 3.7% rent increase.

18.4% of Co-op tenants responded to this survey.

81% of tenants responding agreed that a 3.7% increase was acceptable, with 11% disagreeing, and 8% not sure.

The Co-op also consulted on a 15 pence a month increase in the communal landscaping charge for all tenants to pay for an enhanced service.

81% of tenants responding agreed with this proposed increase, 13.5% disagreed, and 5.5% were not sure.

The Management Committee met on 28/1/20 and considered the result of the consultation.

A decision was made to increase rents by 3.7% from April 2020 and to increase the landscaping charge by 15 pence a month (the first increase in this charge for 8 years).

The Co-op will be writing out to all tenants towards the end of February to advise them of their new rent and service charges from 1st April 2020.

For tenants already receiving help with their rent through Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Costs, these increases should be covered.

For tenants concerned about paying their rent or getting benefit entitlements, advise is available at our office from Sylvia Clyde our Senior Housing Officer or Fiona Bonar our Financial Inclusion Officer.