COUNCIL house rents in Richmondshire will rise by on average four per cent for the next 12 months.

But the district council has managed to keep the increase lower than in the previous two years – when it levied a seven per cent rise.

“Each council property has its own individual rent based on a set formula – which means the average rent increase for next year will be four per cent,” said husing spokesman, Councillor Peter Wood.

“On average a tenant will be paying another £2.88 per week.

“Our tenants can rest assured that we will continue to work hard to keep rent increases to a minimum - but we do have to balance the books each year.”

As well as the rent hike, more than 250 of the district's council tenants will get new upvc windows and external doors over the next five years as part of a major improvement programme.

The upgrading work will run alongside the authority’s annual £1.2 million improvement work which delivers everything from new kitchens, bathrooms and electrical rewiring.

Details can be found on richmondshire.gov.uk/council housing/home improvements, or contact Graham Hutchinson on 01748-828718 or Gavin White on 01748-827183.

Help and advice is available for tenants struggling with paying their rent - contact the council on 01748-829100.