logo
Single mother landed with 20% rent increase calls for rent controls

Single mother landed with 20% rent increase calls for rent controls

Independent25-05-2025
A single mother whose landlord has increased her rent by 20% is campaigning for a cap on how much landlords can raise rent in the UK.
Bridget Chapman, 56, from Darlington in County Durham, who has been a private renter her entire adult life, was given just a month's notice by her landlord when they increased her rent by £100.
A recent survey by campaign group Generation Rent revealed that 61% of renters said their landlord had asked them to pay a higher rent in the past 12 months with almost a quarter (24%) reporting an increase of over £100.
Ms Chapman said that while she welcomes reforms in the Renters' Rights Bill going through Parliament, they do 'nothing to stop shock rent rises' like her family is currently faced with.
The Renters' Rights Bill seeks to introduce an end to no-fault evictions, stopping bidding wars for tenancies, helping tenants challenge unreasonable rent increases and preventing landlords from demanding more than a month's rent in advance from a new tenant.
'I just got so angry that the landlord can raise the rent whenever he wants and give me a month's notice,' Ms Chapman told the PA news agency.
'I'm paying a lot more now and it's having a knock on effect on everything else.
'I'm a single parent, so even though my kids are now adults they're still young and I'm still supporting them.
'I have a very low disposable income so it's really difficult especially since everything else has gone up including gas and electricity.'
Ms Chapman, who says she feels 'let down by the system' experienced extreme dampness in her previous home which led her to being rushed to hospital with pneumonia.
'We moved into the property and I've got asthma, so the damp started to creep in,' she said.
'We didn't realise how bad until the mould was literally black.
'The landlord gave me a dehumidifier which literally did nothing.
'Luckily I was okay. I survived, but when I had to recover, I had to go back to the house, which was full of damp and mould.'
Ms Chapman hoped her new home which she has been renting for eight years would be better but she now feels she has suffered a 'huge blow' to her security.
With rents in her local area being so high, she does not feel she can move to a more affordable option.
Ms Chapman launched her petition which has gained over 45,000 signatures on Sunday, as she feels she 'can't do anything else'.
'Doing this petition is my way to make my voice heard,' she said. 'The Government firstly needs to cap rent increases. They also need to look at capping gas and electricity bills.
'Wages are not going up, so people are struggling even more, because they're on the same wage and they pay more money for everything else.
'You get people who are working hard, full-time, and they're having to go to food banks. I think that's so wrong.'
Generation Rent says its research shows the 'most common' reason landlords put up rent is not higher costs, but rather to increase their revenue as local rents rise.
Almost a third (31%) of landlords blamed higher market rents, while a further 7% stated that the increase was because of letting agent advice.
'This is indefensible. If renters are to finally feel secure in our own homes, we need protections from shock rent rises,' a Generation Rent spokesperson said.
'Private landlords should not be able to raise the rent higher than inflation or wages. The Government can and must act to change this.'
A Government spokesperson said: 'Through our Renters' Rights Bill we are taking decisive action to transform the private renting sector for the better and empower tenants to tackle unreasonable rent hikes.
'Alongside this, as part of our Plan for Change we are putting more money in people's pockets by protecting payslips from higher taxes and increasing the minimum wage to deliver pay rises of up to £1,400 a year for millions of low-income workers.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Trump to land in Scotland on Friday for start of five-day private trip
Trump to land in Scotland on Friday for start of five-day private trip

Rhyl Journal

time28 minutes ago

  • Rhyl Journal

Trump to land in Scotland on Friday for start of five-day private trip

The US president is expected to arrive at Prestwick Airport in the evening, before heading over to his Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire. He is then expected to head over to his Menie golf course in Aberdeenshire before opening up a new course dedicated to his Scottish mother, who grew up on the Isle of Lewis. He will leave the country at some point on Tuesday. His presence will result in a significant operation from Police Scotland and thousands of officers, who are expected to deal with mass protests around his golf courses and major Scottish cities. Mr Trump will be greeted by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray when he lands, with the minister pledging to give the American leader a 'warm welcome'. He will meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his stay when the pair will discuss the UK-US trade deal. The US president will also meet with First Minister John Swinney. The SNP leader previously said he would have the opportunity to raise various issues with Mr Trump, including tariffs, Gaza and Ukraine. Speaking ahead of his arrival, Mr Swinney said the global attention the visit will receive provides Scotland with an opportunity to respectfully demonstrate the principles of freedom and justice for all, while also promoting Scotland's tourism sector and economic investment potential. He said: 'Scotland shares a strong friendship with the United States that goes back centuries. 'That partnership remains steadfast through economic, cultural and ancestral links – including of course, with the President himself. 'As we welcome the President of the United States, Scotland will be showcased on the world stage. 'This provides Scotland with a platform to make its voice heard on the issues that matter, including war and peace, justice and democracy. 'It also includes the millions of Americans – many of them potential future tourists or investors in Scotland – who will watch their elected President as he visits our country. 'As First Minister it is my responsibility to advance our interests, raise global and humanitarian issues of significant importance, including the unimaginable suffering we are witnessing in Gaza, and ensure Scotland's voice is heard at the highest levels of government across the world. 'That is exactly what I will do when I meet with President Trump during his time in Scotland.' The SNP leader said Scotland is a 'proud democratic nation' that 'stands firm on the principles of equality and freedom for all, and a society that stands up for a fair and just world'. Ahead of protests expected around Scotland, he said people had a right to 'peaceful demonstration', adding that 'everyone has the democratic right to protect and express their views in a peaceful, and democratic manner'. 'That is right and proper,' he added. 'I am confident the vast majority of people protesting will do Scotland proud and demonstrate as they should – peacefully and lawfully. 'I am also confident that Scotland's police service can handle the challenge of keeping all our communities safe and, as they must, in maintaining the appropriate security any US President requires. 'This weekend is a landmark moment in our relationship with the United States, and I am certain it will be remembered for Scotland showing the world the very best of itself.'

Trump to land in Scotland on Friday for start of five-day private trip
Trump to land in Scotland on Friday for start of five-day private trip

South Wales Argus

time28 minutes ago

  • South Wales Argus

Trump to land in Scotland on Friday for start of five-day private trip

The US president is expected to arrive at Prestwick Airport in the evening, before heading over to his Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire. He is then expected to head over to his Menie golf course in Aberdeenshire before opening up a new course dedicated to his Scottish mother, who grew up on the Isle of Lewis. He will leave the country at some point on Tuesday. Donald Trump last visited Turnberry in 2023 (Andrew Milligan/PA) His presence will result in a significant operation from Police Scotland and thousands of officers, who are expected to deal with mass protests around his golf courses and major Scottish cities. Mr Trump will be greeted by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray when he lands, with the minister pledging to give the American leader a 'warm welcome'. He will meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his stay when the pair will discuss the UK-US trade deal. The US president will also meet with First Minister John Swinney. The SNP leader previously said he would have the opportunity to raise various issues with Mr Trump, including tariffs, Gaza and Ukraine. Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer will meet during the president's trip to Scotland (Suzanne Plunkett/PA) Speaking ahead of his arrival, Mr Swinney said the global attention the visit will receive provides Scotland with an opportunity to respectfully demonstrate the principles of freedom and justice for all, while also promoting Scotland's tourism sector and economic investment potential. He said: 'Scotland shares a strong friendship with the United States that goes back centuries. 'That partnership remains steadfast through economic, cultural and ancestral links – including of course, with the President himself. 'As we welcome the President of the United States, Scotland will be showcased on the world stage. 'This provides Scotland with a platform to make its voice heard on the issues that matter, including war and peace, justice and democracy. 'It also includes the millions of Americans – many of them potential future tourists or investors in Scotland – who will watch their elected President as he visits our country. 'As First Minister it is my responsibility to advance our interests, raise global and humanitarian issues of significant importance, including the unimaginable suffering we are witnessing in Gaza, and ensure Scotland's voice is heard at the highest levels of government across the world. 'That is exactly what I will do when I meet with President Trump during his time in Scotland.' First Minister John Swinney will meet Donald Trump during his visit to Scotland (Steve Welsh/PA) The SNP leader said Scotland is a 'proud democratic nation' that 'stands firm on the principles of equality and freedom for all, and a society that stands up for a fair and just world'. Ahead of protests expected around Scotland, he said people had a right to 'peaceful demonstration', adding that 'everyone has the democratic right to protect and express their views in a peaceful, and democratic manner'. 'That is right and proper,' he added. 'I am confident the vast majority of people protesting will do Scotland proud and demonstrate as they should – peacefully and lawfully. 'I am also confident that Scotland's police service can handle the challenge of keeping all our communities safe and, as they must, in maintaining the appropriate security any US President requires. 'This weekend is a landmark moment in our relationship with the United States, and I am certain it will be remembered for Scotland showing the world the very best of itself.'

Trump to land in Scotland on Friday for start of five-day private trip
Trump to land in Scotland on Friday for start of five-day private trip

Leader Live

time28 minutes ago

  • Leader Live

Trump to land in Scotland on Friday for start of five-day private trip

The US president is expected to arrive at Prestwick Airport in the evening, before heading over to his Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire. He is then expected to head over to his Menie golf course in Aberdeenshire before opening up a new course dedicated to his Scottish mother, who grew up on the Isle of Lewis. He will leave the country at some point on Tuesday. His presence will result in a significant operation from Police Scotland and thousands of officers, who are expected to deal with mass protests around his golf courses and major Scottish cities. Mr Trump will be greeted by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray when he lands, with the minister pledging to give the American leader a 'warm welcome'. He will meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his stay when the pair will discuss the UK-US trade deal. The US president will also meet with First Minister John Swinney. The SNP leader previously said he would have the opportunity to raise various issues with Mr Trump, including tariffs, Gaza and Ukraine. Speaking ahead of his arrival, Mr Swinney said the global attention the visit will receive provides Scotland with an opportunity to respectfully demonstrate the principles of freedom and justice for all, while also promoting Scotland's tourism sector and economic investment potential. He said: 'Scotland shares a strong friendship with the United States that goes back centuries. 'That partnership remains steadfast through economic, cultural and ancestral links – including of course, with the President himself. 'As we welcome the President of the United States, Scotland will be showcased on the world stage. 'This provides Scotland with a platform to make its voice heard on the issues that matter, including war and peace, justice and democracy. 'It also includes the millions of Americans – many of them potential future tourists or investors in Scotland – who will watch their elected President as he visits our country. 'As First Minister it is my responsibility to advance our interests, raise global and humanitarian issues of significant importance, including the unimaginable suffering we are witnessing in Gaza, and ensure Scotland's voice is heard at the highest levels of government across the world. 'That is exactly what I will do when I meet with President Trump during his time in Scotland.' The SNP leader said Scotland is a 'proud democratic nation' that 'stands firm on the principles of equality and freedom for all, and a society that stands up for a fair and just world'. Ahead of protests expected around Scotland, he said people had a right to 'peaceful demonstration', adding that 'everyone has the democratic right to protect and express their views in a peaceful, and democratic manner'. 'That is right and proper,' he added. 'I am confident the vast majority of people protesting will do Scotland proud and demonstrate as they should – peacefully and lawfully. 'I am also confident that Scotland's police service can handle the challenge of keeping all our communities safe and, as they must, in maintaining the appropriate security any US President requires. 'This weekend is a landmark moment in our relationship with the United States, and I am certain it will be remembered for Scotland showing the world the very best of itself.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store