On-Air Now
Facebook

Affordability always a factor in deciding rents says Harmer

Thu, 09 Jan 2020

Story by Local Democracy Reporter Ewan Gawne
Story by Local Democracy Reporter Ewan Gawne
The infrastructure minister says a tenant’s ability to pay is considered when setting rents, alongside the need for investment and maintenance in social housing.
 
It was announced this week that rents for those in public sector homes will rise by 1.9 per cent from April, meaning tenants will have to pay an extra £1-2 a week depending on their property size.
 
The Department of Infrastructure and local authorities provide housing across the Island, but the cost of maintaining and investing in homes far outstrips what’s collected in rental income.
 
Government is expecting to pay out around £6 million in the coming year to plug this gap in funding, through what’s known as the ‘deficiency payments’.
 
Housing providers such as Douglas Council have called for more cash to be raised for spending on updating older stock, and for investment in new housing projects.
 
Local Democracy Reporter Ewan Gawne asked Mr Harmer if operation costs were the overriding factor in setting the rents:

Media

  • Ray Harmer MHK - Rates

 

Subscribe to get Energy FM News direct to your mobile device

You can get Energy FM News delivered direct to your mobile device using one of the following methods.

  • In the Apple News App on iOS search for Energy FM IOM and then just add it to your favourites
  • In the Google News & Weather App just search for Energy FM and then add us as a customised section
  • If you use an RSS Reader then just add our feed to your app, click here for our news RSS feed