Council house tenants in Newcastle will be hit by a 7% hike in their rent bills.
City decision-makers agreed on Monday to impose the major cost increase for thousands of renters living in Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) properties, in another blow to people struggling with the cost of living crisis. Residents affected by the changes are expected to see average increases in their weekly rent costs of between £5 and £6.60 from April, while service charges and garage rentals also being put up by 7% too.
Labour councillor Paul Frew told Newcastle City Council colleagues on Monday that the decision to go for the highest possible rent hike allowed by the Government was “not taken lightly”, but was in line with most social housing providers across the country. A council report warned that there are “significant challenges” in maintaining Newcastle’s social housing stock to a safe standard, particularly in tackling the mould and damp problems highlighted by the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in Rochdale.
