'My young family has to move after £300 rent hike'

People living in a some of Liverpool's most famous streets have said they can no longer afford to live there due to "disgusting" annual rent increases.

The Welsh Streets, which include Madryn Street, where Beatle Ringo Starr was born, were derelict until regeneration plans by the development company Placefirst were approved by Liverpool City Council in 2017.

But now the union ACORN, which represents tenants, said Placefirst has increased costs for some residents by an extra £300 a month.

Placefirst said the increases reflect "fair market rates", and that it is "always happy to discuss any concerns on an individual basis".

The properties are known as the Welsh Streets after the Welsh workers who built them and lived there in the late 19th century.

Dan Jennings and his wife moved into the area just after the regeneration finished six years ago, and have since had two children who have grown up on the estate.

He said they were expecting an increase but were "shocked" by the amount.

"Since we first moved in, our rent will have gone up by 60 to 70 percent from our first tenancy agreement which was around £700 a month. Now it's going up to £1,295.

"We were anticipating it would go up by £100 because Placefirst have always presented themselves as 'responsible landlords', but £307 (31%) is just unattainable for most people, especially with only a month's notice."

When asked whether they would have to move out, Dan said they would have no choice.

"We have a young family and there is very little chance of us just finding £307 a month extra.", he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"We will have to move. There is no means of us finding the money and guaranteeing that we can find it."

"It's going to be a complete upheaval and we're really disappointed in Placefirst because it all feels so disingenuous."

On Placefirst's website, it advertises that tenants can "stay as long as they enjoy living there", but Welsh Streets residents claim they are all forced onto 12-month contracts, which, they say, means that if they don't agree with the rent increases they can be served eviction notices.

Jacob Goddard, who lives with his partner Katie, said: "I don't think we've ever experienced this empathy they talk about.

"Even the smaller increases are pushing people to breaking point because there are consecutive ones, and now there's a lot of people who are seriously considering moving out."

A petition opposing the rent increases is set to be handed to PlaceFirst's office in the Welsh Streets on Friday morning, and residents will be meeting a local MP later this month.

Placefirst said it was "committed to providing high-quality, professionally managed homes, offering a higher standard than conventional rental properties."

It added: "This year's rent increases have been carefully reviewed, and the figures communicated reflect fair market rates for professionally managed homes with enhanced services and amenities.

"We maintain open lines of communication with all our residents and are always happy to discuss any concerns on an individual basis."

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