Rent increase: ‘All of us have been homeless’

Luisa, a civil servant renting in Tameside, lived with her two adult children in a three-bedroom house for £695 per month in 2022.

On 25 September that year, her landlord sent her a letter saying he was selling the property. He cited government decisions, interest rate increases, rising insurances and legislation he said unfairly tackled landlords.

Two days earlier, then Prime Minister Liz Truss’s chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng shared a ‘mini budget’ intended to stimulate economic growth.

This included £45bn of unfunded tax cuts – now mostly reversed. Following this, inflation and interest rates increased.

A Liberal Democrat spokesperson blamed “Liz Truss’ botched budget” for “driving up rents for tenants” and a Labour spokesperson said “time and time again, the Tories have failed to stand up for renters”.

A Conservative Party spokesman said “Covid and the war in Ukraine hiked up inflation and put pressure on renters, but we have got inflation down to normal levels”, adding they were committed to creating a fairer market for renters.

Luisa spent four months looking for somewhere to live.

“People were offering over the asking price or six months’ rent up front. I wasn’t in a position to do that,” she said.

“It was like a bidding war – I’d turn up and there was a block viewing with about eight to 10 different people there.”

Luisa rented the sixth house she viewed for £900 per month.

She said: “I feel sorry for my children because my daughter’s 20 and at uni, my son is 26 – he has to help me out with rent. He’s unable to save up for his future.”