PENSIONERS are locked in a battle with their landlord following a rent hike which will cost hundreds of pounds each year.

Furious residents who live in bungalows owned by People for Places in Dunvegan Drive, Lordswood in Southampton were told that their rent will increase.

Part of this is down to a £6.97 service charge to pay for the maintenance of trees and an additional £3.97 increase on their rent – overall it comes up to £10.59 a week.

People living in Dunvegan Drive say the service charge is unfair, as they say the trees are not on their land and they believe the responsibility lies with their landlord.

The hike will cost them an extra £550.68 a year, and they have shown their anger by signing a petition against it.

Resident Len Neesan, 80, said: “We are all here because we were promised nice living conditions.

“I feel they are trying to rip us off, because these trees were here when the bungalows were built – it should not be up to us to pay for the maintenance of them.

“If we had a £2 or £3 rent increase, we would not have liked it but we would have understood, but this is ridiculous. Why should we pay for trees that are part of the place?”

Councillor for Coxford Ward, Don Thomas, has been fighting against the charges.

He said: “I’m astounded and gobsmacked that People for Places would put such an unreasonable rent hike and an extra financial burden on its already struggling tenants.

“If they must have it, they should stagger any increase over a longer period of time.”

A spokeswoman for places for People for Places said that the rent rise is fair and has been calculated using government guidelines and the service charge has been spread over three years to save residents money.

She said: “We have kept the rent and service charge increases to an absolute minimum as we understand any increase in cost can pose difficulties for customers.

“The rent increase of 3.7 per cent equates to £3.62 a week and is calculated using guidance set by the Government. “Separately to this, the £6.97 weekly service charge reflects the actual cost of providing services to maintain the area where our customers live. This includes general grounds maintenance as well as programmed tree works to ensure that the trees are maintained and are in a safe condition.

To support our customers, the service charge for the tree works has been spread over three years, reducing the cost to our customers by half.

“We are committed to supporting our customers, and our local staff and dedicated Money Advice Team are on hand to provide any support our customers may need.”