The review means higher-earners living in States-owned housing will pay up to �60 a week more, while tenants in less affluent groups will pay less.

It is hoped the changes, due to come into force in May, will create a fairer system and bring States' rents closer in line with the private sector.

Housing minister Dave Jones said it was not just about raising revenue.

Mr Jones said: "We recognised that the current rebate scheme was not being entirely fair to pensioners, single parents and large families on low incomes. Rents for many of these groups of tenants will be reduced.

'Fair proportion'

"On the other hand, rents have been increasingly coming out of step with the private sector, and there must be some increases to ensure that people with higher income pay a fair proportion."

The States owns about 2,100 properties. The changes will mean a three-bedroom house will have a rental of �137 a week.

Meanwhile, plans to redevelop an area of St Sampsons have been approved by the States.

Leales Yard, which is close to The Bridge, is to become a mixture of housing, recreation and retail under the scheme.

Despite some concerns raised by Deputies about design and the effect on existing businesses, the plans won the support of the majority of the House.

Environment Minister Bernard Flouquet said the impact on the area has been taken into consideration.