MP hails new 6% rent cap on homes in Welsh Streets

OWNER AGREES NEW DEAL AFTER SOME RESIDENTS SAID THEY FELT FORCED OUT BY 30% MONTHLY RENT RISES

- By LIAM THORP ECHO Political Editor

A CAP on rent increases for residents in a famous set of Liverpool streets has been heralded as a huge win for those living there.

The ECHO has reported extensively on the plight of those living in the Welsh Streets in Liverpool, the famous Toxteth area where Beatle Ringo Starr grew up.

The properties were saved from demolition and refurbished by Placefirst, a company which now owns and rents out the houses. But in recent months, residents spoke of feeling forced out by huge hikes to their rent. Some Welsh Streets tenants have reported seeing their monthly rent shoot up by more than 30%.

The situation has seen residents - backed by housing union Acorn - at loggerheads with Placefirst. Last month a group of tenants and union members gained access to the Placefirst headquarters in Salford to protest about the rent increases.

But following this sustained pressure - and the intervention of the area's Member of Parliament Kim Johnson, a new rent cap has been agreed for the houses. The cap will be held at 6% for the next year at least, Placefirst confirmed.