Politics of the rent hike

• I AM somewhat mystified that critics of Camden’s decision to increase its tenants’ rents are warning that the burden of government cuts to local authority funding is being passed on to residents. Of course it is. Who else is to bear the burden?

Only an increase in said funding will obviate the council’s need to make cuts in the first place; and this will not be happening under the present government. Hopefully residents will bear this in mind at the next general election.

While the decision to raise the rents of Camden tenants has been made by councillors, it should be pointed out that they are obliged to present a balanced budget.

Not doing so would result in their removal from office and the borough being directly administered from Westminster. I don’t know if residents would find this an improvement on the current situation.

And if the news is to be believed, the tenants of private landlords (whose rent itself is in excess of that which is paid by Camden tenants) are also facing rent increases, some of which are apparently in excess of 7 per cent.

These are also Camden residents and they are generally not permitted to run up arrears, unlike some of the council’s tenants.

They also have to contend with very poor housing standards, in some instances private landlords being reluctant to reduce their income through repair and maintenance of their properties.

None of the above is to deny the obvious hardship that the government’s policies are causing most sections the population.

Many, if not most, people appear to feel that their situation is not going to improve. However, your editorial appears to be raising expectations that Camden’s tenants’ rent increase will see them receive better services, when it seems that it may only prevent them from getting worse.

ANN CONNOLLY
Spencer Rise, NW5