Rent and charges

Has there been a rent increase this year?

Yes.The average Council house rent has increased by 3.1% (an average weekly increase of £1.56).The increase will allow the Council to improve the quality of the housing stock and maintain a high standard of housing service.The increase took effect from the 1st of April 2008.

How much does the Council collect in rents?

The total amount due from council house rents in 2008/09 is estimated to be £7.68 million. Rents pay for all the Council Housing Service. No money is received from Central Government or from Council Tax.

How are rent levels set?

Each year, we decide on the level of rent by taking into account the costs associated with providing the housing service together with the investment required in our housing stock.

Additional investment has been funded from the following sources:

  • income from rents

  • receipts we obtain from council house sales

How will my rent be used?

From the results of our own stock condition survey, we know that we need to continue to invest a significant amount of money in our housing stock to bring it up to the new Scottish Housing Quality Standard by the target date of 2015.

For 2008/09, we have programmed major investment totalling £7,375,000. A breakdown of how we intend to spend this money is included in the rent leaflet.This investment is in addition to the costs associated with managing the housing service including employee and borrowing costs.

Ways to pay your rent

You can pay your rent by the following methods:

  • In person at the Barrhead Office, 211 Main Street, Barrhead or at East Renfrewshire Council Headquarters, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock.

  • At your local Post Office.

  • By Standing Order.

  • By Debit or Credit Card (telephone 0141 577 3002 during office hours or telephone the 24 hour automated telephone line on 0141 577 3030).

  • Online payments at www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/payments.

  • By cheque- remember to add your rent account number(taken from your rent card) on the back of the cheque. Post cheques to Executive Director of Finance, East Renfrewshire Council, Finance Department (Rents), 211 Main Street, Barrhead G78 1SY.