The Ghost Road

Natasha Anderson and Jacob Thorburn

October 25, 2022.

Rent increases have turned one Liverpool street into a 'ghost road' as residents are being forced to leave their now-unaffordable homes as household budgets feel the pinch with everyday living costs surging.

Several householders on Galingale Road in Norris Green are relocating after receiving notice of 'sudden' rent increases of more than 36 per cent - or a rise of £235 per month - as the UK battles a cost-of-living crisis featuring spiralling energy costs and rising inflation.

Letting agency Allsop, which manages a number of properties in the street, claims it offered residents 'new assured shorthold tenancies at rental prices in line with the market.' Residents said they tried contacting the letting agency to discuss options, but claim they were told the company was no longer taking calls regarding renewals.

Some concerned community members even reached out to Barry Kushner, the Labour Party councillor for Norris Green, who described the situation facing the people of the area as 'a tragedy' and blamed Conservatives for limiting rent control powers. He called on Tory leadership to 'bring back rent controls and fund councils' in attempt to support the 'homelessness crisis.'

Former Norris Green resident Andy, who asked to only give his first name, is moving back in with his 78-year-old mother after he was informed of a sudden rent increase of £235. He had lived in his home for more than six years. The 50-year-old construction worker, who lived in Galingale with his partner, told The Liverpool Echo they were just about making ends meet before news of the rent hike arrived. Andy said: 'It's certainly not what I envisaged at 50-years-old, but I don't have any other choice right now.

'When the letter came through I told them I couldn't afford it and asked if they could reduce it to £700. They said the best they could do is £825 but that would lock me in for two years. I couldn't afford that anyway with all our bills going up so I'm moving out. It's just a sign of the times I think. No one seems to care about anyone anymore. It is all just about money.' Similarly, Andy's partner is moving in with her elderly father.

Another resident, who asked not to be named, expressed echoing concerns after receiving the rent hike notice from Leeds-based Allsop Lettings. The agency manages a number of properties in the street on behalf of a landlord, believed to be based in Jersey.

'We moved into our house in 2018, originally paying £610 per month. This was increased in 2019 to £625 per month. We never missed a payment,' the householder explained. 'On October 6 this year we received an email to say our rent will be increasing to £850 - a 36 per cent increase - and that we needed to sign a fixed term contract.

'The tone of the email suggested that the landlord was doing us a favour, stating: 'If you do choose to renew your agreement you will, of course, avoid the cost and time of moving'.

'It also stated that if we did not agree with the increase we needed to hand in a four week notice and leave the property. The £850 rent increase is due 25/11/22, exactly 1 month before Christmas.'

Another resident said the street is already becoming a 'ghost road' as neighbours all around him move out as they struggle to keep up with ever-increasing rental charges amid the cost-of-living crisis. He said: 'We got told a couple of months ago about the rent increase. We were told the rent would be going up from £680 to £850 and that this was non-negotiable.

'The place is already becoming a ghost street, one of my neighbours has already moved out, another is going at the end of the month and another has just said they are moving out too. No one can afford to pay this. We have decided to go now too, with the price of gas and electric going up we can't afford this. It is really worrying for everyone.' He added: 'This doesn't seem to matter to them at all, it feels like they are actively trying to force people out.'

A spokesperson for Allsop Lettings told the Echo: 'We have been in close dialogue with a number of residents of the Galingale Road development to offer new assured shorthold tenancies at rental prices in line with the market.

'These tenancies typically last for 12 months, providing greater certainty for tenants compared with existing month-to-month tenancies. We have recently agreed a good number of these renewals with existing tenants. In every case we allow adequate time for consultation and to discuss options with the tenant.

'To establish the market rent we follow a rent setting framework, which considers rents achieved at the same, or similar properties via new lettings as well as evidence from nearby schemes.

'We encourage any household with extenuating circumstances or who have come to the end of their tenancy to reach out to their dedicated property manager to discuss their circumstances and will always work collaboratively with the residents to help them identify the most suitable solution for them. We maintain high standards in managing lease renewals in a fair and compliant manner and in keeping with a privately owned and professionally managed residential portfolio.'

© Natasha Anderson and Jacob Thorburn / Daily Mail

Image - Liverpool Echo via The Daily Mail