GHA: no drastic rent rise if States houses sold off

RENT bills would not drastically rise if the entire States housing stock was sold-off to Guernsey Housing Association, it has been pledged.

GHA chief executive Steve Williams said the association would have to take into account the cost-of-living and financial restraints of tenants if it ever struck a deal to take on the 1,649 properties owned by the States.

It follows the news that proposals to sell the entire housing stock to the GHA or a similar body could net the States a bonanza payout of more than £430m.

Mr Williams, pictured, insisted that any possible deal with the States would not see rents rocket for tenants. It was likely that some kind of pledge would be given to ensure that bills remained affordable.