A photographic print of Housing, Post War, Rents - Decontrol Act 1957, Demonstrations, Strikes, etc

TENANTS of a block of flats where the rents by £1 18s. a week are faced with a dilemma. They don't want to pay the increase, but repair bills sent to them by the landlords may make it too expensive for them to leave. The tenants are in revolt against the Peachey Property Corporation, which made more than £1million profit last year. The company own Park Court, in the South-East London suburb of Sydenham. The leases of most of the 53 two-roomed flats in the block are expiring, and rents are jumping from £4 16s. to £6 14s. a week. There will also be a service charge of £78 a year - to cover the "inflationary increases" in the cost of maintaining the flats and gardens, say the company. Those who decline a new lease are finding themselves faced with heavy bills to put their flats "in substantial good order and repair" before they leave. IMPOSSIBLE Mr. Sidney Maizels, 41-year-old leader of the tenants, said last night: "Some who have been lucky enough to find new homes now may not be able to move because the demand for repairs will make it impossible for them to set up new homes. "They can't afford to stay and pay the new rents but they can't afford to leave." Mrs. Joan Kubezak and her husband have had a repair bill for £463. The repairs cover almost complete redecoration of every room, and a new bath and wash-basin. Mr. Philip Goodhart, Tory MP for Beckenham, took up the dispute with the company and won a concession out of them. Those who could not afford the new rents, said the company, could stay on at the old rents as licensees until July next year on the undertaking that they would then quit. WARNER D.H. .7.862 INCREASE IN RENTS AT PARK COURT, SYDENHAM. (Story by G. Cassell) Flats paying £235-£250 will increase to £350 and and £78 service charge. Some have received £500 repair bills. O.P.S. The Flats, Park Court, Laurie Park Road, Sydenham. INDUSTRY - MISC - RENT DECONTROL - INCREASES, ETC.