COUNCIL rents are set to rise as part of a scheme to make councils and housing association charges fairer.

The central proposal is that rents charged by housing associations and local authorities should be set on a common basis, and not vary from area to area and between companies.

The rent increase for Hounslow is expected to be about £2.16 per week, and increases are then to become slower and lower in the next decade.

"Rent restructuring will make a marginal difference to tenants. We want people to have more of a choice in housing," said Housing Minister Sally Keeble.