A young mother is locked in debate with a housing association over her rent which she claims is “unfair” – but the provider said the rates are based on government policy.

The 29-year-old woman, who declined to be named, lives with her five-year-old son in an affordable rent property in Saunders End, Hyde Heath, let by Paradigm Housing.

The pair have lived there since May 2017.

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She claims she pays more than her neighbours – but Paradigm maintain her rent is based on a regulatory framework set by the Regulator for Social Housing.

“I am on an affordable tenancy and pay £191.48 per week – this includes the service charges – which I believe works out to be £872 per month,” she said.

“Paradigm work it out either on a four-weekly basis or a monthly basis. As I pay monthly, it works out to be more.”

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When asked how much she thinks she should be paying, the part-time admin assistant said: “To be specific on how much I think I should be paying is a tough one to answer, as I know everywhere charges differently.

“But consider my neighbour pays around £147 a week, and the flat under her, which is currently available, is being advertised for £111.

“There is also a two-bedroom house opposite, with a front and back garden available via Paradigm which is being advertised for £118 per week.”

She added: “I think how Paradigm work out the different tenancies and how much one should pay is probably outdated and, in all fairness, unfair.

“As a single, working mum, my wage isn’t the best. Comparing my rent and service charges to my neighbours, I pay a ridiculous amount more and some neighbours moved in after me. So, I am struggling to understand how the value of the flats can differ that much in such a short space of time.

“Also, our rents went up this year, and upon speaking to my neighbour, my rent went up by £20 a month and hers only by £4 a month.

“I have contacted Paradigm a few times now and honestly, I am not really getting any answers from them. They just keep saying it is part of how they work it out and the government guidelines.

“Some of the residents in the flats do not pay service charges and still pay less than myself. I am extremely frustrated with this. I generally feel ripped off.”

The tenant also claimed to have contacted Sarah Green MP.

“We have been working with [the tenant] to help her understand the way her rent is calculated and are happy to have further conversations with her,” said a spokesman for Paradigm Housing.

“The rents we charge are based on a regulatory framework set by the Regulator for Social Housing which implements government policy on rents in the social housing sector and we have followed this framework.

“[The tenant’s] home was advertised and let on an Affordable Rent, which is up to 80 per cent of the market rent of the property at the time it is let.

“[The tenant’s] rent was increased by 1.5 per cent in April, along with all other tenants on an Affordable Rent.”

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