A majority of sheltered housing tenants in Aberdeen will have their bills cut from next month – but the most frail will see their charges rise.
The city council is rolling out a new charging system on October 5 following complaints that the current system was unfair.
The current cost to tenants for sheltered housing services is £19.70 per week, while the amount for those in “very sheltered” accommodation who receive extra facilities is £29.26.
From next month, the charge for sheltered housing will be cut to £12.78, but for very sheltered tenants it will rise to £34.76.
From 2003, the city council chose to “exempt” tenants who were in receipt of transitional housing benefit, however, all new sheltered and very sheltered housing tenants from April 2006 have had to pay a separate charge.
From next month, exempt tenants will be charged £6.39 per week for sheltered housing and £17.38 per week for very sheltered housing.
This cost will then increase from October next year to match the charges paid by non-exempt tenants.
City council finance convener Willie Young said: “Work on this project has been taking place for a number of years now.
“We have consulted with tenants who attend the Sheltered Housing Committee and Network and there have been various articles in the Sheltered Housing Newsbite.
“There was also a tenant survey conducted previously and the majority of tenants who took part thought the current charging policy was unfair, which has been a consistent message from tenants of sheltered housing.
“While the new system will be fairer, we understand that people may have questions so our housing officers and senior carers will be on hand to offer advice.”
Councillors approved the new charges at a meeting in February.
Letters have been issued to all tenants to advise that the new charges are being phased in so that from October 2016, all tenants will be charged the same amount for the same service, subject to their ability to pay.
Registered social landlord tenants will pay 50% of the cost of services, as opposed to 75% at present.