Garage rents soar up to 50 per cent on Banbury estate

Ted Jenkins pictured outside his white garage on Evenlode

The row of garages are rented out to those living across the Ruscote by Sanctuary Housing, and after receiving a letter last month from the housing provider, Ted Jenkins, who lives in Evenlode, is angry that no-one was told about the price increase and in an email to Banbury MP Victoria Prentis, he voiced his disgust.

He said: “Adjacent to my house there is a block of garages owned by Sanctuary Housing and I rent one of these garages from them, and have done so for a number of years.

“Each year the rent is increased by an acceptable amount and although one does not like increases, we have paid the amount asked.

“This year, in a letter dated February 26 and received March 3, we have been told that with effect from April 1, the rent will be increased by 49.33 per cent. This takes the figure from £45 per month up to £67.20!

“As you are well aware, increases of this magnitude far surpass the current inflation rate, pay increase scales and pension increase percentages.

“Demands such as this with absolutely no explanation or justification makes one wonder if there is some deeper, long term plan afoot!”

A spokesperson for Sanctuary Housing said: “This is the first time we have reviewed rates for garage rentals taking into account local private competitor’s rates in the surrounding market, and the increases are to help bring costs more in line with the average for the area.”