The Association has issued a consultation letter to all tenants asking for their opinion on the Association’s proposed rent increase this year.

The Association is committed to the ongoing need to invest in our housing stock and is budgeting to spend £1 million on major improvements to our properties and £1.2 million on reactive repairs and cyclical maintenance in addition to staff and office running costs in the financial year April 2011 to March 2012.

The Association previously took the decision not to build new offices but rather to extend and refurbish our existing office at Helenvale Street generating a saving of £1.5 million this year.

In the current economic climate, with little prospect of grant funding for new build in the next few years and wary of the potential impacts of the Coalition Governments Welfare Reforms the Association has proposed a staffing structure which may see a 19% reduction in staffing.

Despite this and to ensure that there is sufficient cash to allow investment to meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard and our ongoing commitment to invest on average one million pounds on major improvements each year, a rent increase of 4.8% is proposed. This figure which will balance the budget and generate a small surplus for investment in future years is based upon the rate of inflation (Retail Price Index) at December 2011. The Association has not added 1% to this as in previous years.

The Association is keen to hear the views of all tenants and sharing owners and would appreciate it if you would complete the questionnaire and return it to us by Friday 11^th February 2011.

If you have not received your questionnaire please contact the office on 0141 556 6226 to request another copy. You may also collect one from the office at 40 Helenvale Street.