COUNCIL tenants in a Hampshire city will see their rents reduced by one per cent from April.

Despite inflation being over three per cent, Winchester City councillors have supported Government demands on social landlords to reduce rents, which the council says will help keep housing affordable for thousands of tenants.

As part of the Welfare Act 2016, Government has determined that councils and housing association rents should reduce by one per cent each year up to 2020.

The reductions will mean council rents will be significantly lower, and in many cases as much as 50 per cent below market rents.