By Brad Young, from the Money team
When Craig, 42, from Falmouth, was told his rent was rising by nearly 20%, his first thought was his mother.
The 77-year-old no longer recognises him, but since her dementia diagnosis three years ago, Craig has spent his free time driving back and forth to her home in Penzance to provide care.
Now, the only way he can find another £1,200 a year to pay the rent hike is by selling the car he needs to look after her.
“Everybody is just shocked. It’s just really unfair,” he said, choosing not to give his last name for fear of retribution by the landlord in the form of a no-fault eviction.
“I either pay the rent or I’m on the street.”
The landlord bought his block of 15 flats in March and increased his monthly rent from £550 to £650 for a single, cramped room in October, Craig said. The kitchen has no room for a fridge. His bed almost touches the sofa.
Craig, who has rented his whole life, called the industry “parasitic”, comparing most landlords to ticket scalpers.
“They want to sit on their arses, I go to work, and they just take my money.”
As a shop assistant in a department store, his small budget was already cut to the bone before the rent increase, spending 40% of his income just to keep a roof over his head.
30% is considered affordable. The median price of rent is higher than this in almost a third of local authorities in England and Wales, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Craig had…
