In response to the article on page 14 of last week s Post ( Rent rise to be repaid ) I would like to clarify the position regarding council rents for 2009/10. Because of the government s welcome decision to reduce its subsidy demands the council has been

In response to the article on page 14 of last week's Post ('Rent rise to be repaid') I would like to clarify the position regarding council rents for 2009/10.

Because of the government's welcome decision to reduce its subsidy demands the council has been able to reduce the planned rent increase from an average of 6.78 per cent to around half that figure. This means tenants will have a lower rent increase but it is not correct that the entire increase will be paid back to them. Each household will have an average rent increase of around �3 per week.

By now most tenants should have received a letter explaining the situation and giving them details of the new charges.

This still leaves Barking and Dagenham with some of the lowest rents in London and represents excellent value for money to our tenants.

Divisional Director of Housing, Stephen Clarke