Residents at a Byker housing association have said that they are 'disgusted and shocked' after their rent and heating bills have 'skyrocketed', with some seeing an increase of £20 a week.
Working residents who live in Byker Community Trust and Karbon Homes properties face an extra £80 on their monthly bills to the housing association, on top of increasing energy bills, while those receiving benefits have seen an increase proportionate to their income. A letter was issued to tenants in February, notifying of the price increase, but residents have told ChronicleLive that there was 'no consultation' ahead of this.
Rent has increased in line with the Government's social housing rent cap of seven per cent, but the biggest increase on customers' bills relates to heating and infrastructure. The Byker Estate is powered by the Byker District Heating System, which was installed with the building of the estate in the 1970s and is owned and managed by Newcastle City Council.
