RENT increases are likely to be introduced for council tenants in Darlington in the next financial year.

Members of Darlington Borough Council's cabinet met this evening (Tuesday, February 17) to agree to a recommended average annual rent increase of 3.43 per cent for council-owned properties across the borough in 2015/16.

This would mean the average weekly rent for such properties would rise to £72.94.

This still means that council tenants in Darlington pay some of the lowest rents in the country, with homes owned by the authority coming 12th in a list of the lowest rents out of 166 councils with housing stock.

The nearest available comparable prices in the region are York, where council tenants pay £72.07 per week on average, and North Tyneside where council properties cost £65.98 per week on average.

Conservative councillor Charles Johnson questioned whether the authority was charging enough for its stock and he was swiftly challenged by Cllr Chris McEwan who asked why he would advocate further rent increases in such financially challenging times.

Cllr Veronica Copeland, portfolio holder for adult social care and housing, responded: “I can assure you we are getting the appropriate rent,” adding that some residents were in low paid jobs and that 71 per cent of council tenants were in receipt of benefits.

Cllr Cyndi Hughes sought reassurance that tenants affected by the bedroom tax would not be put under further pressure by rent increases.

Cllr Copeland said the council would use its discretion and ensure that tenants were getting all the benefit entitlement they were eligible for.

The full council meets on February 26 and is expected to approve the cabinet’s recommendations.