spared from a "major'' rent hike dashed.

They told The Royal Gazette a Government housing official had seen the conditions of the Murray Apartments on Redcoat Lane and assured them that the rents will not increase from next month.

The apartments -- which were used as army barracks -- were falling to pieces, they said, citing rotten windows, a crumbling upper-level porch and holes in the floor as some of the main problems.

But Bermuda Housing Corporation properties and rentals manager Mr. Tudor Smith -- who visited the apartments yesterday following complaints from at least one tenant -- said the rents will be increased.

Mr. Smith said the BHC will be sending a letter to tenants about the situation. But he refused to divulge the contents of the letter or when they will be sent out.

When told about this, disappointed tenants said Government needed to fix up the apartment building before it raised any rents.

Noting Government originally planned to increase the rents by 26 percent from the beginning of next month, one tenant complained that residents were not receiving "value for money''.

The rent hikes -- which Housing Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness has promised will be reduced to 12.5 percent -- was part of Government's three-year plan to bring its residential rents "more in line with market level''.

A widespread Bermuda Housing Corporation review showed that total annual rents being charged to Government tenants were some $1.3 million less than the total of the market rents of the properties, Mr. Edness said.

The BHC also noted that it did not increase its rents during the recession.

However, one tenant said: "We don't mind paying the increase in rent, because the rent for this block is low. But it (the building) needs a lot of work.'' The BHC has promised to spruce up the exterior of the building and make "minor'' interior repairs, the tenant said. "But this needs more than a paint job because it is made of Bermuda stone.'' Noting the state of the building -- which has rents starting at $550 for apartments with one bedroom -- the tenant said: "When it rains hard enough, you can hear the water running through the walls. The apartments are really showing wear and tear.'' The problems had been brought to the BHC's attention before, she said. But so far no major repairs had been carried out.

Some tenants had made repairs of their own, one man said, but there were many elderly residents who could not do so.

In a letter to a tenant prior to his visit yesterday, Mr. Smith wrote: "Anything you wish to draw to my attention will be welcome. This visit is opportune for the already programmed masonry repairs and interior painting scheduled for September, 1995.

"Clearly there is a problem with vandalism to the pump room doors. As occupants your cooperation in trying to maintain the quality of the premises is important. Any information that can be provided as to the culprits could be of assistance.'' While noting that the apartment rents were "very low'', Mr. Smith said: "It is, however, important that you only pay what you can afford. Please, therefore, express your concerns regarding any hardship perceived related to income and expenditure.'' But, the tenant said, when Mr. Smith visited her home he told her the promise of repairs "was not cast in stone'' and he stressed that the windows would not be replaced.

Mr. Smith refused to answer further questions via the telephone last night and Mr. Edness was off the Island and unavailable for comment.

But the Housing Minister has promised to meet with tenants next Tuesday and Wednesday after more than 40 Government tenants bombarded him with complaints during a meeting last week at St. Augustine Hall in Pembroke over the proposed rent increases.