Mr. Irons shares with five other tenants. Even if his landlord transferred the full £ 400 cash payment to them, Mr Irons’ share would only cover 22% of his rent increase for six months.
More jumps are expected on their bills. “I am aware that this was an increase that the landlord applied during the summer months, they may decide to increase the rent again in late summer,” Irons said.
“I wouldn’t expect to see any of my landlord’s £ 400. The best I can hope for is that this could delay another rent increase when the end of the summer comes.”
Alicia Kennedy of Generation Rent, a campaign group, added that the government has not addressed a second major issue. Although Sunak said profits will rise in line with the September inflation rate, the local housing subsidy remains frozen at 2019-20 levels.
In the case of Mr. Irons, did not receive additional money from the Local Housing Subsidy after his rent increase, because the council said the increase in the bill was due to energy bills rather than rent. “In real terms, the LHA has gone down in my case,” Irons said.
Mrs Kennedy said: “One in three tenants has had rent increases this year, so many tenants will still face agonizing choices between eating, warming up and paying rent.”
There are half a million HMOs in England, according to official figures. Of these, 130,000 require a license, meaning they are especially large properties, which are more likely to have bills included in the rent.
* The names of these people have been changed