My rent is higher than 2 bed houses in London! What can I do?

duchy

Watford is not London -and £126 a week even for most outer London boroughs isn't expensive. Not sure why you think London is cheaper - where in London are you looking to think this ?

If your rent is "going up every three months" then you need to be speaking to the HA about why. As for the two bedroom properties -it seems odd you know what the rent is (or what rent is paid which with a family may attract a higher level of housing benefit so is not the same thing).
Is your rent changing or is it your level of housing benefit by any chance ?

Many people I know would give their eye teeth for a HA flat at an affordable rent (especially in the south east) and the security it provides. Would you qualify for a two bedroom flat (eg do you have children living with you or is it just one or two of you ?) If you feel it is too expensive - would renting privately be cheaper for you? A quick look on rightmove shows one bedroom flats start at £219 per week in Watford btw.

The place to go "to investigate this" is your housing officer

buglawton

Not a bit of bait laying by any chance? Perhaps we need a law that freezes rent to the level of inflation. Oh wait there's an election coming.

duchy

Either a bit of baiting or housing benefit issue I reckon.

Yolina

Ella87 wrote: »

My rent amount increases every 3-4 months and is more expensive than 2 bedroom houses in central London.

My rent currently sits at £126 per week

Huh? I've just looked on RM and the cheapest 2-bed flat for rent near me is £350 a week

omariqy

I've lived in West Hampstead and London Bridge - both of which are pretty central and I was paying £300 per week for just a one bed. Please tell me where I can find a 2 bed for £126 per week!

fairy_lights

£126 a week isn't much more than £500 a month which isn't unreasonable. I live in a small town a long way from London and a 1 bedroom flat would only be about £50 a month cheaper around here, so I really don't think you're getting a bad deal.
There is absolutely no way you are paying more than you would in London and if you really believe that you are then I think you need to seriously adjust your expectations.

Enterprise_1701C

If it is bait then someone is an idiot. The idea of fixing rent rises is really quite silly.

Either the rents will be increased substantially at the start of a tenancy and at the end, or people will simply stop renting anything out.

People in general rent places out to make money.

buglawton

Then the bait layer thinks someone's an idiot. There, fixed it for you.