Ochil View announces 4.5% rent increase for 2012

On 18th January 2012 we held a Rent Review Consultation meeting at our office.  This was attended by 7 tenants.  We have held a Rent Review meeting like this each January for a number of years but the number of tenants who attend has reduced.  We are concerned that this is no longer an effective way or gathering tenant’s views.  If you have any views on how we could encourage more tenants to participate we would be pleased to hear them.  If you would like to suggest other ways of consulting, please let us know.

We sent a comment card to all tenants. We received 4.4% back and of those responding:

•             59.6% felt that their rent was generally good value for money
•             38.6% supported the Association’s plans to increase rents by 5.0%

The meeting showed that our rents are affordable to tenants in full time work, earning the minimum wage and receiving all in work benefits that they are entitled to.

The meeting looked at the rent levels charged for similar properties by other local social landlords.  We saw that Ochil View’s rents were comparable with other local landlords.  The Management Committee considered the feedback from the tenant consultation exercise and the draft budget.  The Management Committee decided to reduce the proposed rent increase from 5.0% to 4.5%.