Renters and Housing UnionPreston renter and Renters and Housing Union delegate Harry Millward had recently been given a notice to vacate by his landlord who was moving back into the property. Because of skyrocketing rents, Millward said he would be unable to find a new home in his area.
“We are scrambling around to find another place in the area because we really love it here,” the 34-year-old said. “But there are very few options that would be an equivalent price anywhere in Preston.
“So it looks like we’re going to be pushed further out of the city, further away from work and my community and I’m really upset about it. I feel stressed, under pressure and I feel like every other part of my life has become secondary to finding a place to live.”
Millward said the tight market was eroding living conditions for renters.
“If you’ve got a rental and it’s got mould, it’s got leaks, or it’s falling down, people are afraid to push back for their rights because they’re scared of retaliatory rent rises or evictions,” he said. “People are living in squalor to just have a small sense of security.”
Red Rabbit
Hunter