THE Swindon Tenants Campaign Group has asked the council to reconsider plans to increase rent on its residential properties by 2.2 per cent.

A proposal set to go before Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet next week will recommend the increase, which is equivalent to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus one per cent - which is the government recommendation.

It means rent will go up to £81.34, an average increase of £1.96 a week, but the tenant’s group believe the increase will lead to more people defaulting on payment because of already tight household budgets.

Council chiefs have said while they are aware of the pressures on people’s finances, a balance has to be struck so the housing stock upgraded for future generations. However, Martin Wick, secretary of the campaign group, says there could be short-term costs if tenants are left unable to pay.

He said: “We have just heard that the council is freezing council tax for the fifth year in a row.

“The administration says it is doing this because of the difficult financial circumstances of council tax payers. It would be completely inconsistent for them to push through yet another above inflation rent increase for council tenants at the same time. Rent is, of course, a much larger amount than council tax.

“Over the past four years tenants have had an increase of nearly 24 per cent in their rent, way above the level of inflation. Isn’t it about time that councillors showed the same consideration for the circumstances of tenants?”

The cabinet member for housing, Emma Faramarzi (Con, Priory Vale), said: “I understand the pressures people are under but we have to strike a balance.

“I want to ensure we have a housing stock fit for future generations and the increase in rent will allow us to upgrade the stock.

“There was a higher option but I have decided it is best to go down the middle.’’