Perth & Kinross Council tenants set for £2k to downsize housing

Perth: The council is looking to help tenants who might be living in homes that are too big for them. They’re thinking about offering £2,000 to those who decide to move to a smaller place.

This plan is all about freeing up larger homes for families who really need them. Right now, there are about 2,000 tenants in bigger houses than they actually need.

The idea is to encourage those tenants who haven’t considered moving before. The council wants to make it easier for them by offering cash or other perks, like new carpets or help with moving costs.

Interestingly, there are around 120 tenants on the waiting list because they’re stuck in overcrowded homes. The council has noticed that many people are living in properties that are just too big for their households.

Next week, the council will ask for approval on this downsizing scheme. They’ve found that a lot of people support the idea of encouraging tenants with extra rooms to make a move.

However, they can’t force anyone to move, as that’s against the law. So, they’re focusing on providing incentives instead.

On another note, the council is also looking at raising rents by 6% next year, which would mean an average increase of about £4.78 a week. This would bring the average weekly rent to around £84.52.

Perth and Kinross Council works with several housing associations to provide affordable homes. Last year, there were over 3,300 applicants on the housing register, and many people are still waiting for permanent housing.

Councillor Tom McEwan believes this downsizing scheme will help balance the housing situation. By encouraging tenants to move, they can make larger homes available for families who need more space.