Rachel’s campaign to challenge unfair rent increases and get unresolved maintenance issues fixed in properties owned by HS2 has been featured on BBC Midlands News.

Rachel had been shocked to hear from constituents facing rent increases of £300–£700 per month imposed by Carter Jonas, HS2’s property management company. Several residents also told her that long-standing maintenance problems in their homes had been ignored for years.

This week, BBC Midlands featured Rachel’s campaign as their lead story, drawing attention to the unacceptable treatment of tenants. The piece included the experience of Rob, a resident of Gilson, who received a £400 a month rent hike despite waiting years for rotten decking at his home to be replaced. In the piece, Rachel repeated her call for HS2 to take into account proximity to the HS2 works when determining rent levels. The report was also featured on the BBC’s website.

Over the past week, Rachel has been contacted by a number of residents – including some who hadn’t previously been in touch – who report that Carter Jonas has now contacted them about addressing their maintenance issues, and in some cases, work has already begun. It’s clear that pressure is having an impact, which is a really positive step forward for tenants. However, Rachel has made it clear she will continue to press HS2 on the issue of unfair rent increases.

You can watch the report by clicking here.