TENANTS of an Inverclyde housing association have voted for a bigger rent increase – so that their gardens will be tidied and a job can be created.

Cloch Housing Association’s board considered a basic rent increase of 2.5 per cent from April 1.

But following a consultation with tenants, it has been agreed to set the rise at three per cent, which will include the introduction of a limited garden tidy scheme and the appointment of a modern apprentice.

A spokesperson said: “The association will continue to look at ways of budgeting to minimise increases and future costs, and is committed to keeping rents as low as possible, while ensuring the association remains financially viable.

“We have a 30-year plan for each home to make sure we can cover all the work that will be needed.

“We try to keep our costs to a low level, but our main costs in managing and repairing our properties may rise by more than inflation.

“Our rents need to be affordable to our tenants.

“In these hard times, this is more important than ever.

“The rents also need to compare with other landlords providing similar rented homes in Inverclyde and beyond.”

The association reviews its rent charges every year and says it ‘works hard to try to keep rents affordable, whilst having enough money to cover costs and put money aside for future maintenance’.

Some tenants will see service charges go up, while others will fall depending on the type of property.

Cloch have 1,368 properties of varying sizes across Inverclyde from Port Glasgow to Inverkip.