Public sector housing rents set to rise by 5% in April

People living in public sector homes in the Isle of Man will see their rent rise by five per cent next year, it has been announced.

The new charges will apply from 1 April and the amount will depend on the quality and size of a home.

The average rise for general housing will be around £4 per week, with a 3-bed household paying £85 per week.

Renting a similar property in the private sector on average would be about £250 a week.

Social Care minister Chris Robertshaw said households on income-related benefits will be "largely unaffected".

According to the Department of Social Care the average rise for sheltered housing will be just over £3 per week.

Mr Robertshaw said the increased rents will still be "significantly less" than the cost of the equivalent private sector housing on the Island.

He added that his department is progressing with means tested rents from 2015.