THE vast majority of council tenants in York are set to have to pay at least 5.5 per cent more in rent.

Housing chiefs at City of York Council have recommended that councillors agree to an average 2009/10 rent increase of six per cent.

Under the proposals, 38 per cent of tenants would be hit with a rise of six to 6.5 per cent, while 52 per cent would face a hike of 5.5 to six per cent.

On average, tenants would pay £3.58 extra a week, though for some the cost would remain unchanged, and others would enjoy lower rents.

The increases would apply to all council properties, including hostels and travellers’ sites.

They would come as part of the Government’s move to introduce rent convergence throughout the country. Coun Sue Galloway, the authority’s executive member for housing and adult social services, said: “Which would mean that, whether you were in a housing association property, or a council house, or whether you were in Lancashire or London, you would pay the same amount for the same kind of property.

“We don’t really have a choice in the matter, because the Government’s said that that figure stands.

“If we decided to choose a lower figure, say five per cent, the Government would assume that we were still collecting the six per cent and wouldn’t give us any (of) the difference in the money.” The proposals will go before the council’s executive members at a meeting next Tuesday.