A group of tenants from Glasgow have held a protest over plans to increase their rent by 7%.
Tenants of Partick Housing Association (PHA) demonstrated outside the social landlord's offices on Friday morning to voice their opposition to the changes. They claim that only 215 tenants out of 1,800 were consulted on the increase and that any increase is "disproportionate to the level of services that they receive".
A consultation was held in November and December with PHA now stating their intention to increase rent by 7%.
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Living Rent tenants' union is representing a number of the residents and said such increases in rent is "pushing some of Scotland’s most vulnerable into poverty due to them not being able to afford a rent increase".
The action comes following the end of the rent freeze for social housing with social landlords and housing associations now able to increase rents up to inflation.
Scott Falconer, PHA tenant, and Living Rent Member said: "As a Partick Housing Association tenant it’s galling to be facing a 7% rent hike based on the consultation of only 215 tenants when our landlord owns 1800 homes.
"Of those 215, Partick Housing haven’t even stated how many supported this hike - which is amongst the highest in Scotland. And it adds insult to injury that having had this rent hike imposed we are now being offered handouts for electricity and food as though we are charity cases."
Andrew McAllister, PHA tenant, and Living Rent Member added: "During a cost of living crisis, a rent hike of 7% is atrocious. And I have to say; a consultation isn’t really a consultation if people aren’t actively engaged and given the opportunity to give their actual thoughts.
"To be clear - Partick Housing Association have made no effort to actively engage with us as tenants in this year’s rent consultation, and I find it impossible to imagine any significant number of Partick Housing tenants having actually supported this eye-watering rent hike."
Rosie Hampton, Chair of Living Rent Partick, commented: "With the cancellation of the rent freeze, tenants have been thrown under the bus by the Scottish government.
"The cost of living crisis hasn’t gotten any easier. Bills are still soaring, costs aren’t coming down and any increase in wages is well below inflation - no one can afford any increase to their rent.
"The government has said that the increases in social housing are to allow for repairs and development of the sector. But this is laughable when we know the extent of disrepair and energy failure in social housing. Tenants should not be facing the double whammy of increased rents, disrepair and high bills.
"With these rent increases, the government needs to ensure that social tenants are supported from accruing rent arrears and eviction. They need to raise the eviction threshold for rent arrears and increase the Tenant Hardship Fund."
A spokesperson for Partick Housing Association said: "We understand that many of our customers may be worried about the cost of living and increased rents. We work closely with our tenants and do our best to support those who need help or have financial worries.
"The Association, like others, is also facing financial challenges with increasing costs and has had to make difficult decisions this year. Having consulted our tenants, we have balanced the needs of customers to continue delivering key services and investing in homes while keeping our rents affordable.
"Our rent increase this year is lower than the inflation rate. From November 2022 to January 2023, we held various engagement events and encouraged our tenants to get involved in our rent consultation. We would encourage any tenants who are worried about their rent, to get in touch with us."
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