Single mum 'breaks down' after £100 rent hike and says 'it needs to stop' - Birmingham Live

Single mum 'breaks down' after £100 rent hike and says 'it needs to stop'More than 45,000 have signed Bridget Chapman's petition to put a cap on the amount landlords can raise rent

byCommentsNewsIsabelle Bates05:30, 01 Jun 2025Bridget Chapman has launched a petition A working single mum has been left at her wits' end after her landlord hiked her monthly rent by £100.

In the wake of the move, Bridget Chapman has launched a petition to cap the amount landlords can increase rent, which has been signed by more than 46,000 people.

‌ The 56-year-old also hopes to force a three-month notice period in rent changes, and she was given just one month to raise the extra cash.

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Speaking to BirminghamLive, she said: "It makes me angry because it just came out of the blue, and to give a month's notice is really unfair.

Article continues below "They're just allowed to do that. There should be a cap in the system so landlords can only raise the rent to a certain point.

"Otherwise, they can just do what they want."

Bridget, who has rented her whole adult life, shares her three-bedroom home in County Durham with her two adult children, a 20-year-old daughter and 22-year-old son.

‌ Her daughter contributes to the bills, but her son does not, as he is set to move in with friends in the next few months.

She has no plans to move away from the address, despite her rent now costing £700 per month.

"You need about £1,400 to £1,600 for a deposit to move, and you can't do that if you're already paying an extra £100 a month," Bridget said.

‌ Speaking about her petition, she added, "There should be at least three months' notice so you have time to get your head around it and sort out your finances.

"Each area should have a capped amount that rent can rise by.

"Landlords should not be allowed to hike prices willy-nilly."

‌ A petition launched by Bridget has now gathered more than 46,000 signatures.

Regarding the huge number of supporters, Bridget said: "I was amazed and shocked. I did not expect that number of people.

"It just shows how many other people are in the same position as me, getting their rent put up.

‌ "Some people are in worse conditions."

The cost of rent means that Bridget is now scared to think about retiring in the coming years.

She has tried to contact her local MP but says she has been unable to get any help.

‌ Bridget's petition is being backed by Generation Rent.

Their winter survey last year found that 61% of renters reported that their landlord had asked them to pay a higher rent in the past 12 months, with almost a quarter (24%) reporting an

increase of over £100.

The campaign group, which advocates for private renters, found the most common reason renters reported they had been given for their rent increases was not because their landlord faced

increased costs; it was because of the rising rewards of “the market”.

‌ Almost a third of landlords had blamed higher market rents, while a further 7% stated that the increase was because of letting agent advice.

A spokesperson for Generation Rent said: "This is indefensible. If renters are to finally feel secure in their own homes, we need protections from sudden rent rises.

"Private landlords should not be able to raise the rent higher than inflation or wages. The Government can and must act to change this."

Article continues below Click here to view the petition.

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