Weekly rent charges for Keighley’s Incommunities tenants are to rise by about 8 per cent.

From April 6, the average weekly bill will increase by £5.09 to £66.58.

Details have been posted to tenants this week.

Adrienne Reid — Incommunities’ assistant chief executive, neighbourhood services — said the group was legally guided by rent levels, set by the Government, for social landlords nationally.

She said: “We are very aware of the current economic climate and its impact on all residents in the district and our new rent levels continue to be the lowest charged among housing associations in the Bradford district.

“However, these are hard times and we have also increased the resources we are putting in to help our customers with debt advice and benefit claims along with our partners, the independent advice agency CHAS. “Incommunities is also charging some of the cost of providing services to its 16,000 tenants living in flats, sheltered schemes and linked housing.

“These cover heating and hot water supplies, concierge services and caretaking and cleaning services. In these areas we have tried to keep costs to a minimum and have capped charges in some cases. Over 70 per cent of Incommunities tenants affected by these rent and service changes are entitled to support through their housing benefit.”

She added that Incommunities was committed to improving its services and had introduced service standards across its customer operations, giving people a clear statement of what they could expect from the organisation.

“These are reviewed annually in consultation with our customers to make sure we are providing a high level of services to everyone,” she said.

“As the area’s biggest housing landlord we are also continuing to improve our existing homes and build new ones and provide affordable, safe and secure accommodation.”

Anyone with a query about the new charges, seeking advice about possible benefit entitlement or wishing to discuss payment options should contact the Incommunities income team on 01274 254777.