THANKS to inquiries by the Review almshouse tenants in Monmouth will not now face the unwanted present they had just before Christmas – demands for huge rent increases.

For the Haberdashers' Company, which owns the homes, says an error in its calculations has been discovered and this means no increases for at least a year.

Writing to The Review the clerk to the Haberdashers' Company, Captain Robert Fisher, says: "Thank you for drawing this matter to our attention. I am naturally embarrassed that the situation has occurred, but I am please it has revealed an error, which can be corrected, rather than place an unnecessary burden on those whom the Haberdashers' Company, as trustee of the Jones Almshouse Charity, is committed to help."

Captain Fisher said he would be writing immediately to the tenants and warden to advise them of the change.

The matter came to light when a friend of one of the residents of the St James' Square Jones Almshouses, who does not want to be named, said the new demands thudded onto doormats just before the start of festivities.

"They all had letters through their doors informing them of rent increases starting at £5 and some as much as £10 a week," the friend said.

She added that there had been no warning that the increases were in the pipeline and in most cases the letters had been greeted with shock by pensioners still reeling from the fact that this year's pension increase amounts to a paltry 75p.

"You can imagine how they felt when they received these letters, especially at Christmas," she said.

"These old folk do not live there from choice, but because the rent used to be affordable. The flats are tiny bed-sits with very little room in them.

"They are all elderly people with little money, only their pensions to live on. So much for the Christmas spirit!"

The friend said all the tenants felt they were unable to do anything about the situation and would have to pay up.

Captain Fisher added: "We are presently carrying out a review of the accommodation in conjunction with the Almshouse Association.

"To be sure we continue to meet our policy of providing accommodation of high standard with a resident matron and local warden it is probable there will be an increase in maintenance charges from January 2001."This is likely to be less than that recently advised to the residents and they will be given advance notice of any increase before Christmas this year."