Tenants in Clutha District Council housing units will find their rent going up $5 per week late next month, but some could still end up better off, depending on their financial circumstances.
The one-off rent rise was confirmed by the council on Thursday and the council also removed the rule offering discounted rents to older tenants.
Some tenants will face weekly rent jumps of more than $15 because of these two decisions, but some will be eligible for assistance from Work and Income New Zealand.
The impact on individual tenants will not be known until the council formally notifies them of the changes. The new rents will take effect from December 1.
The changes have been introduced to help the council pay for long overdue heating and insulation improvements.
Each of the 98 units will also get a heat pump.
Roofing, spouting and insulation work will be done at the Naish Court flats in Balclutha, and exterior painting at units in Lawrence and the Toshvale flats in Balclutha.
Fifteen units will get new electric ranges.
New rentals will be set at the market rate, to be determined by a council rent review process every three years and the council also agreed that rents will be adjusted in line with inflation each year.
