BEACH hut charges are set to dramatically rise if councillors approve latest plans.

The cost of selling beach huts on Hove seafront could go up by more than £1,000.

It comes as Brighton and Hove City Council looks to make more money from the city’s 459 privately-owned beach huts on council land.

When a hut is sold sellers must pay £82 as a transfer fee but this is set for a staggering rise to £1,212, or ten percent of the sale price, whichever is highest.

But with huts sold this year ranging from £16,000 to £22,500, and one currently on the market for £25,000, seller’s transfer fees could rise as high as £2,500.

The annual licence fee paid by owners is also increasing and is set for a £36.80 rise to £404.

The proposals are being put before the tourism, development and culture committee next Thursday, and is seen as move to bring charges in line with other local authorities likes Adur and Worthing, and Rother.

One estate agent in the city said the transfer free rise may make people think again about owning a hut.

Michael Keilthy, head of residential sales at Parsons Son and Basley in Queens Road, said: “The rise is extortionate.

“There are quite a lot of restrictions there already.

“People who buy them tend to buy a house on New Church Road, Hove or a flat on one of the seafront areas and think a beach hut would be really handy to keep when friends come down or for their children.

“But I think this rise is taking the fun out of it by charging four figures to sell them.

“It is a very big jump.”

According to Mr Keilthy the beach huts that run from the bottom of Grand Avenue up to Courtenay Gate are the most desired and fetch the most money.

The city council transfer and licence fee is lower than most other authorities.

Committee chair, cllr Alan Robins, said: “Our findings shows that both the licence fee and transfer fee charged by the city council are lower than other local authorities in the area.

“If councillors agree, these changes will bring the city in line with charges made by other neighbouring authorities.”

The tourism, development and culture committee will decide next week and then tell beach hut owners.