Ridiculous Rents

[Scarlett]

I live in a university city which is very desirable compared to many ie- low crime rate, cleanish, historic etc. The rent in the city are absolutely ridiculous. They are around £850 per month for a 1 bed flat. When I moved here 8 years ago the rents were far lower. My flatmate earns around £20k and can't afford a place of his own, so we are still sharing at age nearly 50. I have noticed that it is the estate agents who seem to be creating this massive increase. Every time I see a flat in my building, it is advertised for a higher and higher price because, well, it's a nice city to live in. The flats are often empty for months therefore, and then get filled by someone wealthy. I think there should be a law against stupid and greedy inflation of properties by estate agents. It is hard enough to find anywhere to live which is not a student house or earmarked for students, and normal single 40-somethings have nowhere to go! I am in touch with the head of the city council and I wondered if there was anything I could suggest which could reduce the problem?

[david small]

Whatever happened to the fair rent act? Estate agents are complicit in bumping up prices. They play on the greed and then expectations of clients. Renting in this country is an absolute disgrace. Driven by market forces eh, Mmm, with a large pinch of sheer greed.

[pumpjack]

blame immigration