Profit before people at Hitchin Property Trust
Hitchin Property Trust rented me a flat in Hitchin for a number of years, until November last year. I was a good tenant, always on time with the rent and helpful to my neighbours.
I’m a retired man of 75, on a relatively fixed pension and I Ioved living in the town centre, even though my flat was by no means modern or quiet (next to both a big school and Hitchin town hall which had events on every weekend). But I was content and the rent was affordable. Until it wasn’t.
Unfortunately, I had no choice but to move last year, after they put my rent up by £280 a month, which was an almost 30% increase. Most pensioners can’t suddenly find an extra £3400 a year. I certainly couldn’t.
The rise was to be phased in over 4 months, but that was no help, as I just don’t have the income to pay that much rent
I pleaded with them, but they wouldn’t budge by even a penny. As a result. I’m now in a cheaper place in Letchworth, further from my family and outside the town centre.
When profit is more important than people, this is what can happen.