HARD-up tenants will be overcharged for rent during the next two months because Redbridge Council delayed passing on the benefits of an increased Government subsidy.

Last year Whitehall chiefs announced a set cash sum for local authority housing provision which led councils to set an average increase of 5.6 per cent in rental charges - which later revised down to a 2.66 per cent rise after the figure was reviewed in March.

But while many councils have already passed the cut down to their tenants, households in Redbridge will have to wait until the end of August before they can benefit from it.

The council has caused consternation by blaming the delay on a bizarre consultation exercise it held to find out whether of not tenants wanted a reduction in their rent. Unsurprisingly, the results showed they were overwhelmingly in favour.

The authority, which lobbied for the decrease alongside other councils, said it would effectively pay back the extra cash by reducing rents by 4.8 per cent from September for seven months.

But tenants have slammed it for taking so long to reduce charges, after councils such as Leicester passed on the cuts more than a month ago.

One council insider, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “The fact that other councils have already sorted this out goes to show how incompetent the council is.”

Tenant Frank Kedi, of Carlton Terrace, Wanstead, said: “I’m very unhappy. If they can charge us less why are they waiting until September? My rent is very expensive, and it is difficult, especially in a recession.

“I have to pay about £86 a week in rent but I’ve had problems with mould in my house for over six years and the council still hasn’t repaired it properly.”

A council spokeswoman added: “Councils are taking different approaches to this matter right across the country.

“We felt it was right to consult tenants before implementing the rent increase which we did as soon as practicable after the details were released by the government.

“The date of 31 August has been set to implement the rent decrease which includes the 28 day notice required for tenants.”

For more information on rent charges, residents should call the Redbridge Homes Income recovery Team on: 8708 7676, or write to them at 152 Broadmead Road, Woodford Green IG8 0AG or email incomerecovery@redbridgehomes.org.