Tenants are being asked to back a move to privatise 13,000 council houses.

Brighton and Hove City Council says transferring its stock to a not-for-profit housing association is the only way of securing £195 million in Government funding to make improvements demanded by ministers.

Tenants will be balloted on the issue in the autumn.

Council assistant director of housing management Pam Montgomery, said: "We have enough money to run the housing service but not to maintain and improve properties in a way tenants should expect.

"If the ballot supports the stock transfer, nearly £200 million will be available to us to spend on properties in terms of repairs, maintenance and improvements."

Phil Doyle, chairman of Brighton and Hove Tenants and Lease Holders' Stock Transfer Negotiating Group, said any changes leaving tenants worse off would be opposed. He urged people to accept the council's proposal, adding: "Councils which have not gone along with this option have been left to hang when their finances have dried up."

Paul Allen, of eb4U, said the stock transfer would be a "massive opportunity".

He said: "It will benefit more than community safety and improvements to housing - it will benefit other areas, including health and education. It's going to encourage people to stay in the area and it's an exciting opportunity for east Brighton."

But Ruth Arundell, chairman of Defend Council Housing, dismissed the council's argument as "propaganda".

She said stock transfer would lead to increases in rents and service charges and a loss of democratic accountability.

Tenants can find out more by calling the independent Tenant Participation Advisory Service on 0800 731 1315.