Counting the cost of renting

Feb 27 2009

FOR as long as I can remember my council rent has been rising by whatever, plus one per cent.

The latest rise will be six per cent. This, we are told, is to upgrade and modernise the housing stock.

I have rented from the council the same flat for around 33 years.. The wooden frames of our windows were so rotten that the council advised us not to open them in case the glass fell out (top floor flat). They did nothing for over a year, despite numerous complaints, and the windows were eventually replaced, along with the rest of the area. For the honour of having new windows our rent was increased, as double glazing is considered to be an upgrade.

We still have the same kitchen, four double base units and a sink top, the same bathroom, fan replaced with the wrong type some years back, and the flat has never been rewired. We’ve had our heating changed and had compulsory smoke alarms fitted. The council no longer paints the common entry and have not done so since the days of the right to buy. Our rent was not adjusted to a lower rate to compensate for this.

We both work full time, my job is not secure and we are both on low wages. My wages have not gone up in almost two years and my wife has just had news of that she is to have no pay rise, due to the economy. If my job goes, my wife may as well follow suit, as we couldn't afford to live on her wage alone.

Should the council get around to ‘upgrading’ our flat, the extra charges will then be £21. 72 per fortnight, on top of my six per cent increase. Modernising the housing stock is a smart way of saying, of course, we will replace your kitchen and bathroom and maybe throw in a rewire and charge you for it twice.

Of course, when the official notice of increase comes in there will be the paragraph to remind us that we are free to vacate our tenancy. Do they really think that we live here by choice and not necessity?

Please don't get me started on some of the neighbours that the council foist upon us.

Name and address supplied.