A CAMPAIGNER is making a last-ditch appeal to Worcester tenants to keep the city's housing stock under council control.

The residents' ballot on whether to transfer homes to a new not-for-profit landlord will be counted at the end of this month.

But Ronkswood tenant Jon Baddeley who has petitioned against change for more than five years, has deep suspicions of any transfer.

A "yes" vote would allow Worcester Community Housing to take control of council stock, but only if the majority of tenants voted in favour.

"The house I live in cost £50,000 to build four years ago and the council is now willing to sell it off for £8,000. I wish I could buy it for the same amount," said Mr Baddeley, of Ripon Road.

"We need to vote 'no' because I think rents will rise considerably in the future. I can't believe the Government has the funds to just keep heavily subsidising housing associations indefinitely."

David Wareing, chief executive of Worcester City Council, believes a "yes" vote, which would begin any transfer process in August, is the only real way to significantly modernise and improvement housing.

Most of its 5,000 houses have never had replacement double-glazed windows, new fitted kitchens or replacement bathrooms and some need their central heating systems upgraded.

"If the housing stock stayed with the council, this type of work would continue at a snail's pace due to a lack of funding," said Mr Wareing.

"If the stock is transferred all work would be done in six years- that's the contract."

Unlike the council, the housing association would be allowed to borrow up to £40m to acquire houses and fund repair programmes in the first six years.

The council would still deal with private housing grants and the homeless.

Mr Wareing emphasised strict laws were in place for any private landlords to adhere to, including ensuring tenants continue living in their houses, carrying out required repairs, keeping the property in the letting market and ensuring housing association rents remained similar to council ones.