Tenants living in an Ancoats apartment block have been reduced to tears over proposed inflation-busting rent rises.
One said increases 'upwards of 13 per cent' have been emailed out to 'multiple' residents at Flint Glass Wharf, claiming the highest they've seen was more than 15 per cent.
A councillor who has met with tenants over the situation said he was concerned and called the proposed rent hikes 'sudden and substantive'.
Flint Glass Wharf is a 136-flat complex across six floors on Radium Street, near Ancoats Marina and the Rochdale Canal.
One tenant told the Manchester Evening Nes: "It is a bit of a shocking situation.
"All the residents are being emailed different increased rent proposals.
"One resident is going from £965 per month to £1,095 per month, which is a 13.5 per cent rise.
"Another is going from £850 to £950. The highest we have seen is someone who says their rent is going up by 15.5 per cent.
"They are genuinely scared and not able to pay.
"People are in tears about it. They are saying they do not know how they are going to pay.
"We all understand paying an increase because of inflation. Inflation happens.
"But people could be forced out of their flats because of it."
Residents with tenancies due to end have been contacted by developer Northern Group offering them a renewal of their leases.
In an email seen by the M.E.N one tenant is told their rent would rise by more than £100 a month.
Northern Group wrote: "Whilst we appreciate that no customer would welcome an increase, the proposed rent is in line with market values for the area, the building and the type of property."
The tenant claimed there were also issues with the building, highlighting bicycle thefts, a recurring broken front door and lift, parcel theft and issues with the security of the car park.
"We had our rents increased about six months ago in line with inflation, which no one disagreed with," they said.
"But this is absolutely ridiculous. We have got a petition going.
"The current level of inflation in the UK is 5.4 per cent - so we do understand a rent increase, but by double digits is simple going to force us out, especially since most of us already paid an increase six months ago.
"Multiple tenants of Flint Glass Wharf have been asked to pay rent increases upwards of 13 per cent.
"This is at a time when tenants are already squeezed by increases in the cost of living, particularly energy bills. We would ask for fair negotiations."
Tenants wrote to Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell to raise concerns and contacted Ancoats and Beswick Liberal Democrat councillor Alan Good, who arranged meetings after the petition launched.
Coun Good told the M.E.N.: "Having met with residents I am concerned about sudden and substantive rent increases as high as 13 per cent and 15 per cent.
"Residents have been quoted different increases under the guise of bringing rents in line with local market value, while being inconsistent within the building itself.
"However, part of this assessment of market rate includes the service and quality of apartments, not just location.
"For example, other buildings that charge rent in excess of £1,050pcm for a two-bed have amenities that Flint Glass Wharf does not.
"I am also aware of outstanding issues with lighting, security and repeat parcel thefts, which I am now in contact with the building managers to address.
Another tenant told the M.E.N.: "My rent was increased in December by £20 to £850 and now I'm being asked for £950 by the end of May."
And another said: "We agreed a rent increase of £25 in November and have just been informed that in keeping with market value it would increase by £125 in May. It's appalling and not fair."
Northern Group said, in the aftermath of the meetings, they would discuss individual circumstances with tenants in the hope of 'finding a mutually agreeable solution'.
They pointed to 'initial' proposals and said rents on certain tenancies hadn't been adjusted over the past two to four years in line with market rent or inflation.
In a statement to the M.E.N., a spokesperson for Northern Group said they were committed to working with tenants.
They said: "Following contact from the tenants, we immediately wished to address their concerns and convened a meeting with the tenant's representatives.
"There are certain tenancies where we have initially proposed rents above the rate of inflation for 2021-2022.
"This is mainly due to the rent not being adjusted over the past two to four years in line with market rent or inflation.
"This was a conscious decision due to the uncertainty which the pandemic posed or the tenants' individual circumstances.
"As the country begins to stabilise from the effects of the pandemic, rents for those tenants not on fixed term contracts have been reviewed with some proposed to bring them in line with the market.
"Where a tenant has a concern regarding an increase, we are discussing their individual circumstance and finding a mutually agreeable solution.
"We are addressing any concerns regarding the building condition, with the consensus from the tenants' representatives that the building is actually well maintained.
"As an example, to improve security over the past two years, we have installed new access control systems, locks, security vinyl's, CCTV and replaced all main doors."
