A council is introducing a levy on houses benefiting from pavement crossings and driveways.

Darlington Borough Council will be increasing the rents of 237 properties with off-street parking in a move that reflects the desirability of these buildings.

The properties were not originally charged when the pavement crossings were installed, but the council’s cabinet has now approved a decision to increase tenants rents by £3.96 a week from April.

‘All council tenants are receiving a 1% annual reduction in their rents for the next four years,’ a council spokesperson said.

‘The council loses money as a result of this Government scheme, so we need to maximise income where we can in order to provide the standard of accommodation our tenants deserve.’

‘In most cases, the increase in rent will be met from housing benefit payments, so a majority of tenants will not notice a difference,’ the spokesperson added.