Council house rents up 5.3%

COUNCIL house rents across Shetland are set to go up by 5.3 per cent as of 1 April.

At the budget setting meeting of Shetland Islands Council, next Thursday, elected members will hear that the increase above inflation, if agreed, will generate an additional £164,000 during 2012/13.

The average rent for a council house will go up from £61.04 to £64.27.

Council tax rates are recommended to be unchanged for another year at a charge of £1,053 for a band D house.