A WORCESTER landlord has said a housing crisis and the cost of living have left renters stuck in a 'vicious cycle' of not being able to buy and struggling to afford rent. 

Worcester City Council deputy leader and landlord Cllr Jabba Riaz said he has held off raising rents for as long as possible but added there comes a point where costs become too high to maintain that. 

This follows concerning new statistics which revealed city private renters could be set to pay almost £1,000 more on rent this year than in 2023. 

The Labour councillor added there was a need for Sir Kier Starmer's new Labour government and the authority to address the current housing crisis. 

New data from the Office for National Statistics showed Worcester private renters paid £853 on average in May 2024, £89 more than the same time last year. 

It is projected the average private renter will have paid a bill of £10,322.60 by the end of this year. 

Cllr Riaz told the Worcester News: "I’ve held off raising rents as long as possible to make sure my tenants aren't overwhelmed but there comes a point where costs become too high to maintain it. 

"Landlords are finding it extremely difficult, the majority of good landlords will have a good communication channel to make sure they manage the difficulties the tenants are going through. 

"What we need is good quality homes, and thousands more of them. 

"The situation needs addressing and the main issue is the lack of quality housing available which is also driving demand and competition up, which in turn is also pushing costs up."

The rent price in Worcester has been rising by an average of £5.20 every month throughout 2024. 

If this trend continues, the average Worcester private renter would have to pay out £889.40 in December 2024. 

Cllr Riaz added: "This is devastating news for many renters, the disastrous mini-budget by Liz Truss has had a devastating effect on thousands of renters and homeowners. 

"Landlords have had to increase rents to match mortgage payments and rising costs.

"Many renters are stuck in this vicious cycle of not being able to buy and having to rent. 

"Budgets are being squeezed and this misery shows no sign of stopping. 

"There aren't many landlords out there that can afford to absorb the costs of these rises."