Residents in South Ayrshire are facing a 2% rent increase to help manage new costs.

The increase comes amid a three-year plan to improve existing properties and land.

The plan includes an investment of £2.3m in double glazing replacements at 500 homes, work to improve footpaths and fencing and work on retaining walls.

Rent on new-build properties will be frozen until 2020, while the rent for one-bedroom new builds will be reduced to help match the maximum allowance allowed for people reliant on housing benefit.

Rental rates for lock-ups, garage site rents, garden maintenance, communal heating, and amenity charges have also been capped at 2% from 2018/19 to 2020/21.

South Ayrshire Council's 30-year business plan anticipates a 2% increase in costs and income each year, and in 2014 the council agreed to apply a 2% rent increase for the three-year period from 2015/16 to 2017/18.

Councillor Philip Saxton said: "We're committed to making life better for our tenants, and continued investment in our properties and assets will help to maintain high standards.

"Alongside our pledge to build 1000 new affordable homes in the next five years, our programme will reduce bills for hundreds of energy inefficient homes, improve safety for the elderly, and see a range of environmental improvements put in place.