Three-year rent cut for Brighton and Hove council tenants

Rents for more than 10,000 council tenants in Brighton and Hove are set to be cut by one per cent in each of the next three years.

And almost 2,000 tenants will have cheaper gas bills as the price drops for those with communal heating, and more than 800 elderly residents will pay slightly less for their laundry due to a new cheaper contract.

Meanwhile increases in service charges are being kept to inflation levels or lower – with some electricity bills forecast to fall and other charges staying the same.

However Brighton and Hove City Council is set to bring in a new charge for servicing, maintaining and repairing the growing number of door entry systems in council flats as some are ageing and costing more to keep working.

More than 4,000 tenants will pay an average of 48p a week from April to reflect the rising cost to the council’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

More than £1.2 million is budgeted for roofing, with a saving in the cost of repair call-outs expected as a result.

Major structural works and decorations account for more than £3 million each, heating improvements will cost more than £2 million, while work on kitchens and bathrooms are expected to require almost £2 million.

Rewiring will also cost almost £2 million and window replacement is budgeted for £1.3 million.

And more than £1 million is being set aside for disabled aids and adaptations.

Five new build and conversion projects account for almost £16 million. The two conversions are at Stonehurst Court and the old Oxford Street housing office.

Former council leader Mary Mears was delighted with the proposal to build 12 flats on the Oxford Street site. The Conservative councillor was scathing about how long it had been left empty.