Tenants having 'sleepless nights' over fee rises

Tenants living in a Coventry tower block have said a planned 160% hike in service fees is causing anxiety and "sleepless nights".

Residents in Nauls Mill House, in Middleborough Road, face an average £22-a-week rise in charges to be brought in by social housing provider Citizen in April.

Tenants battling the rise have said it will hit the vulnerable and fear people will have to leave their homes if they cannot afford the fees.

But Citizen said the revised charges "reflect the actual cost of delivering essential services". It expected people receiving full housing benefit or universal credit would not have to pay the additional cost.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service they were already having to use food banks to get by.

"I am so worried about this hike in service charge, I can barely get by as it is now," they said.

They were suffering "sleepless nights, mental health and anxiety issues from being worried all the time", the tenant added.

An older person relying mainly on a pension said the increase was "worrying me a lot".

"I am scared about the future," they said.

Another tenant said they worked full-time but for a low salary and were not entitled to any extra support.

Citizen said on average, tenants will pay an extra £22.05 per week, which is about £1,440, a year.

Madeleine Nelson, the provider's chief operating officer, said: "The revised charges reflect the actual cost of delivering essential services such as security, maintenance of communal areas, and utilities.

"Some customers have previously been paying less than the cost of providing some services, and we are ensuring that charges are now applied fairly and consistently.

"For those receiving full Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, we anticipate this increase should be covered in full, meaning they may not have to pay any additional cost."

Any residents experiencing financial difficulties can get support from its money advice team, she added.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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