The following is the abridged text of an open letter sent out by the Brent Federation of Council Tenants Association to the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the London Borough of Brent. Further copies and information can be obtained from 44 Wells Court, Cambridge Avenue, N.W.6. "News is coming in all the time of proposed increases in council house rents. This association trusts that no such proposal will emanate from the Brent Council in the immediate future. We are asked to state that any such demand would be strongly opposed by this organisation, Interest charges now annually amount to over £2m., over 80% of the income from rents, and have doubled since 1959. Interest rates have steadily risen, 24% in 1946, 32% in 1954, 5% in 1955, and 74% in 1966, If the trend continues, the councils will eventually have to cease all council house building to prevent the debt and interest charges rising to such a height that the scale of rents will be such that no one will be able to afford them, The solution is for the Government to face the problem seriously and firmly oppose those financial interests that profit from the present system, At present interest rates a tenant paying £4.4.6d. a week rent is paying £3. 2. 6d, to the money-lender, In the past, Rent rises have usually been offset by a rise in wages, In the future this +8 less likely to happen; rate of rent increases is being pushed up while wages are being frozen, We further view the abnoxious rent rebate scheme with much misgiving. Noone is opposing benefits to the less fortunate members of the community, but they are opposed to a council simply declaring that those tenants earning above an arbitrarily arrived at income should support those below it. "This way the vast majority of council house tenants are paying twice for social security: once when the employer takes their social security payments out of their pay each week, and secondly when the wife pays the rent." Who says a fair rent is one sixth of your income? Does this also apply to our business-men councillors for their rates? How do we know that the amount they say they will pay out in rebates is an accurate assessment and not just a bluff to sell a means test as social justice. Ought not 'Old Peoples Housing' and Hostels be the responsibility of the Government and not be a charge on the housing accounts. Perheps tenants would benefit from a closer investigation into the nature of a 'deficit' that is used as an excuse for rent increases, These are matters exercising the minds of our members and which we would like to have the councils views.
Yours faithfully,
W. Deacon P, Braxton
Chairman, Secretary."
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