Elderly tenants of the Richmond Foundation, a South West London charity, are facing steep rent increases of up to 180%, causing sleepless nights and declining health. Tenants claim the hikes, which raise rents to 70% of market value, are forcing them out of homes they have lived in for decades.
Rent Hikes Cause Health Crisis
Richard Jackson, 75, faces a rent increase from approximately £1,100 to £2,500 per month, which he cannot afford. "The impact is enormous. My blood pressure is up. I've had various other problems associated with stress. Both my wife and I aren't sleeping," he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).
Another tenant, who wished to remain anonymous, saw her rent rise from £1,009 to £1,440, with further increases planned. She has been prescribed antidepressants and said her mental health has "reached an all-time low." She added, "I've seen my neighbour, a fully grown man in his 60s, crying because he thinks he's going to lose his home. It's just devastating."
Charity's New Policy
Richmond Foundation introduced a policy to bring "charitable" rents up to 70% of market value. Tenants say this is extortionate in the expensive Richmond area. Some tenants were told they no longer meet charitable criteria due to changed circumstances, but they cannot afford the hikes.
Tim Whitehead, 75, a tenant for 38 years, faces a 60% increase from £1,123 to £1,792. He said the hikes go against the charity's purpose to relieve hardship. "How is that charitable? How is that dealing with poverty in Richmond? It's not. It's absolutely, obviously not," he said.
Community Breakdown
Richard Jackson said the rent hikes are breaking up the community by forcing people to move. "There's going to be a real big jolt for everybody as you've built up a network, a network of doctors, carers, people who look after you, friends, family who have got an eye out for you, and all that they just want to throw away," he said.
Tenants claim they were promised a "home for life" when they moved in, which the charity disputes. The anonymous tenant said, "I don't feel like they're even treating us like we're human beings."
Charity's Response
Richmond Foundation spokesperson said, "We recognise that changes to rent and tenancy arrangements have caused concern for some affected tenants. However, Richmond Foundation's charitable purpose has not changed." They added that tenants can apply for extra help if affordability is an issue, and that changes were carefully considered for fairness and sustainability.
Tenants are complaining to the Charity Commission, seeking an independent investigation.
