INVERCLYDE’S largest housing association is encouraging tenants to take part in a consultation over a planned rents hike.

River Clyde Homes (RCH) says that the proposed two per cent increase is in accordance with last month’s UK inflation figure.

Bosses say that a rise in rents would allow them to ‘deliver the changes and improvements customers have said they want to see’.

Those who take part in the survey will be automatically entered into a prize draw with a chance of winning a shopping voucher worth £200.

A similar consultation in 2014 resulted in tenants agreeing that rent increases be restricted for three years to the level of inflation, or the retail price index.

Councillor Stephen McCabe, chair of the RCH audit and finance committee, said: “We promised to restrict increases to the rate of inflation because we know that many customers are still feeling the effects of the financial downturn.

“We have to balance that with their aspirations for the services we deliver and the improvements customers say they would like to see.

“Restricting rent increases to inflation (RPI) will still allow River Clyde Homes to improve services including spending at least £5.5m on improving homes; almost £5m on increasing energy efficiency, continuing to invest in building new homes and spending £3.6m on the repairs service.”

The proposed rent rises would see a one bedroom property increase from £72.54 per week to £73.99; two bedroom from £75.70 to £77.21; three bedroom from £78.85 to £80.43 and four bedroom from £82.01 to £83.65.

Mr McCabe said: “We hope customers will let us know what they think of the proposals by completing the freepost card being sent with the Christmas edition of our customer magazine, dropping into one of our offices to complete a card or using the online questionnaire on our website.

“In addition our housing officers and customer contact centre will be asking customers to take a moment to complete the questionnaire.”

Customers can also participate in the consultation by using an online questionnaire at www.riverclydehomes.org.uk. The deadline for responses is January 4.