Southampton: Pensioners’ anger as Stonewater increase rent

The increase, which comes into force next month, has caused uproar amongst residents at Merlin Lodge in Woolston.

The property, owned and managed by Stonewater, is home to over 30 residents, some of whom have lived there for more than a decade.

Concerned pensioners, from L-R: Derek, Sue, Malcolm, Margaret, and Brian. Brian Gray at centre right. (Image: Maya George, Newsquest)

Resident of five years Derek Sturgess described the increase at the site in Wharf Road as “disgusting.”

The 65-year-old said: “I have lived here for five years. How can they justify my rent going from £188 to £311 a week?

“I think it’s disgusting and it’s just not fair.

“Last year, my electric cost £19.17 per week but now it will be going up to £108.68 per week. I can get a mortgage for that.

“Why should I move because of Stonewater’s greed?

“My wife and I work full time but we can no longer pay towards our retirement.”

READ MORE: Mum faces steep rise in childcare costs after nursery closes down

Brian Masters, 68, is facing an increase of £165 to £251 in total rent per week.

He has lived at the property for 12 years and does not want to be pushed out because of the rising charges.

He said: “Stonewater has run the place to the ground.

“There’s no wellbeing and the standard of living has gone downhill and we have paid more money for it.

“I was born and bred in Woolston; we all come from Southampton. To have to move at my age because Stonewater doesn’t care is ridiculous.”

Fellow concerned resident Maxine Wilton, 68, said: “There’s no wellbeing in this place and we are being ripped off.

“We are paying for things we don’t have or can’t use, like a warden and a phone.”

A group of residents held a meeting about the rising costs at Merlin Lodge on Friday.

Also attending was the Tory councillor for Peartree, Alex Houghton, who also visited the property last year when prices rose.

He said: “This increase is just insane and not really anything anyone can plan for. I want to see what we, the council, can do to challenge that and get a realistic charge for the residents here.

“They are not alone in this and we really need to expose what is happening and why.

“And if that means lobbying people for help, then we need to do it.”

READ NEXT: Grandad stuck in lift with paramedics while suffering heart attack

A spokesperson for Stonewater has said the parameters for social housing rents are set by the government.

They added: “We absolutely stand with customers over these concerns “Supported housing is excluded from the seven per cent cap applied to other tenures.

“We do not make a penny of profit from service or energy charges and are committed to ensuring that no customer should ever be at risk of losing their home because of energy debt.

“We will always support anyone struggling to find workable solutions.”