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<\/a>A petition calling for a cap on how much landlords can raise rent has reached more than 42,000 signatures in just one week.<\/p>\n
It was started by Bridget Chapman, of\u00a0County Durham, with the support of campaign group Generation Rent, after her landlord increased her monthly rent by almost 20%, or \u00a3100.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cRight now, landlords can increase their tenants\u2019 rent by whatever they want. Rents can, and do, suddenly go up. Sometimes by hundreds of pounds a month. Much faster than the cost of living and faster than our wages are increasing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is what happened to me and my family after my landlord recently hiked my rent by \u00a3100.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been renting privately all my adult life, but getting a sudden rent hike still comes as a shock and has been very stressful, especially as the landlord gave us just one month\u2019s notice. This is nearly a 20% increase!<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a single parent living with my two children, with one income to live on, the impact will ripple through my life. I feel broken down by this system. Extreme damp in my previous home led to me being rushed to hospital with pneumonia. I hoped this new home would be better, but once again, I\u2019ve suffered a huge blow to my security. Rents in my local area in County Durham are high, and I cannot simply jump to another more affordable option.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will have a huge impact on my finances, with my home now so much more of a struggle to afford each and every month. I was already struggling to cover my essentials; this shock rent rise will put even more of a strain on me. My mental health has been badly affected, and I worry about the long-term impact this will have on myself and my family.<\/p>\n
\u201cImportant reforms in the Renters\u2019 Rights Bill are currently passing through Parliament. These will help to make renting fairer in England, including ending Section 21 evictions, which currently allow landlords to evict you without needing a reason.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut they do nothing to stop shock rent rises like the one my family has faced. While the government says tenants will be able to challenge \u201cunreasonable\u201d rent rises at tribunal, decisions will be based on what the rent would be if your home was re-let \u2013 not what you can afford.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs long as landlords can price their tenants out of their own homes with unaffordable rent rises, renters will still effectively face unfair evictions and be threatened with homelessness. Research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation showing more than a third of private renters are living in poverty after housing costs.\u00a0Meanwhile, Generation Rent\u2019s research has shown 9\/10 renters say the experience of renting has negatively impacted their mental health.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Chapman points to Generation Rent\u2019s winter 2024 survey which found that the majority of renters (61%) reported that their landlord had asked them to pay a higher rent in the past 12 months with almost a quarter (24%) reported an increase over \u00a3100. This compares to just 9% reporting hikes of this size in July 2022, almost a threefold increase. Meanwhile, the 2024 English Private Landlord survey found one in five landlords hiked the rent by 15% or more he last time they renewed or extended a tenancy.<\/p>\n
The most common reason that renters reported they had been given for their rent increases, was not because their landlord faced increased costs, or was struggling more, it was simply because of the rising rewards of \u201cthe market\u201d. Almost a third (31%) of landlords had blamed higher market rents, while a further 7% stated that the increase was because of letting agent advice.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is indefensible,\u201d she continued. \u201cIf renters are to finally feel secure in our own homes, we need protections from shock rent rises.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPrivate landlords should not be able to raise the rent higher than inflation or wages. The government can and must act to change this.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The petition can be viewed here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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