RESIDENTS in council properties could see their rent rise by around £10 a month this year to meet government requirements.

Stroud District Council is proposing to increase rent on council properties by five per cent to bridge the price gap between Housing Association rent and council rent.

The extra money raised from the increase will go to central government, which takes roughly £1,000 per household each year.

Residents in Dursley will find their council rent rising by £10 per month on average for a two bedroom property, which would amount to £120 extra a year.

Penny Lyon, a council tenant who lives in a two bedroom flat in Acacia Drive, Kingshill, said: "I would not mind the increase, which is above inflation, if wages went up by the same amount - but they don't. It is just a bit of a shock to the system.

"It is a struggle with the cost of living going up, rent is the main part of my outgoings so the increase does make a big difference."

District councillor Frances Roden, cabinet member for housing, said: "The sad fact is that this increase is government imposed - we have no choice in it whatsoever.

"Even worse is the fact that none of the increase will benefit our tenants - all of it goes to the government, which is already taking £5million a year from them.

"With this increase, that figure will rise to £5.8 million - and none of it will be spent here in the Stroud district. We could be doing a lot of good things with that money.

"Tenants should be asking their MP and Labour councillors how this situation can be justified."

The district council will also move to raise garage rents from 38 per cent to a staggering 60 per cent.

The proposed figures are set to be agreed at a full council budget meeting at Stroud District Council offices in Ebley Mill tomorrow at 7pm.