Croydon council tenants face largest rent rise in 10 years despite poor state of homes

By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter

Croydon Council tenants face a 4.1 per cent rents increase – despite shocking revelations about substandard housing in the borough.

The price hike in April comes less than a year after poor living conditions were exposed at council-owned tower blocks in Regina Road, South Norwood.

In March 2021, footage of thick black mould and dripping wet floors shocked the nation when it was broadcast on national ITV news.

An independent investigation found it all stemmed from a water leak the council failed to fix for four years.

On average, weekly rents for a two-bed home rises from £110.88 to £115.42.

It will also affect the 183 properties set to come under the London Affordable rent scheme.

In one of these two-bedroom homes, average rent will increase from £171.20 to £178.22 per week.

The council’s cabinet approved the increase at a meeting on Monday night despite a recommendation from a council scrutiny committee to defer the increase to later in the year.

It is the highest borough-wide rent increase in around 10 years.

Deputy leader of the opposition Councillor Lynne Hale said some residents would not be able to pay as the increase comes at the same time as the cost of living crisis.

Some tenants face a double hit when they lost their council tax support, a cut approved by the authority last week.

Cllr Hale said: “I am sure that some tenants will be shocked by this rise in rent given the poor service they have received over the past year and some will undoubtedly be struggling to pay.”

Croydon Council has 13,432 homes which it funds through its housing revenue account.

There will be an 4.1 per cent increase in service charges, garage rents, parking spaces and caravan plots.

Cabinet member for resources and financial governance, Callton Young, asked: “We know that inflation is running out of control at the moment. People are worried about the cost of living crisis. Is this level of increase the highest it has been?”

The member for homes, Councillor Patricia Hay-Justice, revealed it was the largest increase in around 10 years.

She said: “Part of the research that was done was rent increases over previous years.

“While 4.1 per cent is the highest in recent years, we are not terribly far away from 2011 and 2012 under my opposition’s administration.

During that time increases were 6.1 per cent and 5.1 per cent.”

 

Pictured:  Croydon Town Hall