Charges are set to rise by at least a quarter as families pack up for their move to Ailsa Gait as part of the mulit-million pound regeneration of Stranraer. Some are so annoyed they are allegedly contemplating staying where they are.
But DGHP say that tenants were told of that their rent would rise when they moved to the new development and that no one has contacted them to say they are not moving.
Laurence Simpson, who said he was looking forward to moving from his present home at Ashwood Drive to Cairn View Court in the new complex, told The Galloway Gazette: "My rent will go up by £830 per year - a 30 per cent rise. I did expect an increase, but not as much as what it is.
"We have been told by DGHP there is a service charge included for the upkeep of the area.
"But I'm going anyway, the house I'm in has seen better days."
Galloway MP Russell Brown was contacted by concerned DGHP tenants.
He said: "It seems that a number of people who've been given what they thought was good news that they can move into a brand new property shortly, have now been delivered with the bomb-shell that their rent will be hiked by up to 50 per cent.
"DGHP claim that residents were informed on a one to one basis that rents could go up. But clearly that didn't prepare people for the increases they are now being told they will have to pay. I'll be digging more into this issue in coming days to try to find out just exactly how much detail people were given about how much they'd be expected to pay.
"The result of all this appears to be that some tenants are now rejecting the new properties they have been offered in the regeneration area. And this obviously raises the crazy possibility of having brand new houses in Stranraer that people won't move into because people can't afford the rent."
The regeneration project is a joint venture between DGHP, Dumfries and Galloway Council and Communities Scotland.
Stranraer and North Rhins councillor Willie Scobie said: "To my mind the council should be keeping on top of these issues. I don't totally blame DGHP, but I want to know what the council have been doing.
"This is a fundamental change and I wonder if we are at the stage of going to Communities Scotland and asking whether they (DGHP) are capable of running a regeneration programme, because we keep getting changes to the masterplan."
DGHP spokesperson Jayne Moore said: "We are disappointed that Russell Brown, MP, has decided to speak publicly on this matter, without contacting us in the first instance. We can categorically confirm that no tenant will be subject to a 50 per cent rent increase.
"The regeneration of Stranraer is one of the best things that has happened to the area for years, and negativity regarding the process from certain Politicians perplexes us. After all, we are delivering on our promises by demolishing some of the worst housing in our region and replacing them with brand new homes. This is a good news story for Stranraer and our tenants, who are without doubt the most important people in this whole project, are delighted to be moving from their poor quality accommodation.
"Our staff are in constant contact with all of our tenants who are due to move and not one has raised any concerns with us about their rents, and we certainly have had no-one indicate that they no longer wish to move to Ailsa Gate.
"The rents charged for these properties are comparable with the rents charged for all new housing association properties in Dumfries and Galloway and at least £55 per week less than what is currently being charged in the private rented sector. We totally accept that the rent for the brand new houses is around £18 more than tenants currently pay for their flats in Dickshill, but the difference in standards is obviously significant. Our tenants are moving into semi detached properties with full modern facilities, back and front gardens, drive ways and super efficient heating systems that will ultimately reduce ongoing living costs. It stands to reason that rents will be greater than where our tenants are living at the moment.
"At every discussion our company had with our tenants, it was made abundantly clear that the rents would be increased. However we understand that this is, albeit in line with all other new build properties, a significant increase for families. This is why we had already made arrangements for our tenants to have an opportunity to have their income checked through our new service, to ensure that everyone is aware of any benefits that they may be entitled to claim. All DGHP tenants will receive a payment of £1900 to assist them to move home, and the company also pays for other costs such as actual removal expenses.
"Our ability to deliver this project has not been questioned by any party, including Dumfries and Galloway Council and the Scottish Government, who's satisfaction with our progress has been recorded."