Housing authorities differ on whether rents should go up

Conflicting suggestions from Commissioners

Housing authorities across the Island have conflicting views on whether public sector tenants should pay higher rents.

Almost half have suggested any increase should be pegged with CPI inflation, which stood at 1.6% in July.

Douglas Council has put forward a 4.7% rise in line with RPI inflation.

Four authorities believe there should be no increase at all.

Fourteen bodies have submitted their suggestions, after they were invited to by the Department of Infrastructure (DOI) earlier in the year.

Several commissioners are alarmed at rising costs and stagnant wage growth, whilst others have warned no rise now will result in tenants being 'hit hard' in the future.

Have a look at what your local authority has recommended in the list below:

Braddan Commissioners - CPI rise,  1.6% July

Castletown Commissioners - 0%

Castletown and Malew Elderly Persons Housing Board -  CPI rise 1.6% July

Douglas Council - RPI rise, 4.7% July

Garff Commissioners/Cooil Roi - 1%

Malew Commissioners - 2%

Onchan Commissioners - 0%

Peel Commissioners - 0%

Peel & Western District Housing Committee - CPI rise, 1.6% July

Port Erin Commissioners - 3.1%

Port St Mary - 0%

Ramsey Commissioners - 2.5%

Ramsey and District Housing Committee - 2.5%

Rushen Parish Commissioners - CPI rise, 1.6% in July

These recommendations form an average of 1.5% - this is calculated using the July measure of CPI, which was used by the DOI as a point of reference in the rent setting process.

Officials at the department's Public Estates & Housing Division consider 'affordability, service delivery, and sustainability' when setting rents.

The Department says it's aiming to strike a balance between cost to tenants and the sustainability of public sector housing.