COUNCIL tenants in East Lothian are happy with a five per cent rise in their rent each year because of the quality of housing provided, it has been claimed.

Councillors voted through the increase at a meeting of East Lothian Council this week, despite a bid by the SNP Group to have a reduced increase of three per cent introduced instead.

And the chambers heard that the higher increase, included in the housing revenue budget for the year ahead,  had been endorsed by tenants, who accepted the importance of investment in new housing and modernisation.

Councillor Jim Goodfellow, cabinet spokesperson for housing, said a recent rent survey and consultation had found tenants “overwhelmingly endorsed” the rise, which is the same as last year’s increase.

And he pointed out the gulf between council rent and private rent in the county.

He said: “It is in housing costs in East Lothian we observe the greatest level of inequality.

“Whilst we have amongst the lowest average council house rents in Scotland, our private sector rents are some of the highest outside of Edinburgh, driven by the demand for homes.

“Families are sometimes paying £750 per month for a two-bedroomed four-in-a-block ex-council flat compared to their council tenant neighbour, whose rent will be around £250 per month.”

Mr Goodfellow said the five per cent annual rent increase, which is expected to continue to be applied until 2024 under the approved budget, will allow the council to increase its housing stock to provide more council homes to residents.

He said: “The administration’s ambition through this budget is to go further than ever before, with over £100million being invested in providing new council housing and nearly £65million being invested in modernisation of our existing stock through our new bathroom and kitchen programmes, and energy efficiency programmes.”

Councillor Stuart Currie, SNP Group leader, presented an alternative housing budget which increased rent by three per cent.

He accused the minority Labour administration of raising it to the higher level “just because you can” and said two per cent of the increase would end up being put into cash reserves.

He said: “With a three per cent rise in the year ahead, you can still build as many new houses and modernise the same number of bathrooms and kitchens proposed.

“The additional two per cent proposed by the administration can be for only two reasons – because they can or because it adds to the reserves and you have to ask yourself if that is acceptable or not.”

Councillor Lachlan Bruce, speaking on behalf of the Conservative Group, said the Tories would be backing the administration’s five per cent rise and housing budget because it was about a long-term investment, not just one year.

He said: “If we are going to ask people to pay more, there has to be a good reason for it and in East Lothian I believe there is.

“When I ask people who come to my surgery if they mind a five per cent increase, they say no because they know they are supporting good homes and being looked after.”

The administration housing budget with the five per cent increase was approved by 16 votes to 6.