The changes come into effect from 5 April, but tenants on rent abatement will not be affected.

The Housing Committee has agreed a number of increases to rents of properties which have been modernised or improved.

The charges reflect the value of the improvement carried out.

At one estate the roofs, doors and windows have been replaced and there has been full external wall insulation.

This means the rent increase on those houses will be more than on other houses where fewer improvements have been carried out.

Where the rent increases due to improvement work are high, the extra costs are being phased in over a period of years.

Increases of up to �10 per week are being applied in one year, between �11 and �30 per week over 2 years at 50% per year.