Residents have warned they could struggle due to “outrageous” rent rises across the Watford area.

Brandon Clark, who lives in a privately rented flat in Meriden, sought advice online after he and five flatmates were told their rate was rising by over £400 a month, or around £70 each.

The 33-year-old teacher said half of his wages will be on rent, adding: “I don’t exactly get paid a lot and for me, £75 is a lot of money.

“I know everything is rising but what justifies such a big jump? It’s ridiculous.”

They will write to the landlord to negotiate the increase, but he said he will have to cut back on leisure spending elsewhere if it goes ahead.

Victoria, who lives with her family in South Oxhey, said the housing association Thrive Homes had raised the rent for her three-bedroom house by 7.7 per cent this year, the maximum amount allowed by law. 

While she expects an annual increase, the mother of two said she felt "forced" to accept the £65 monthly hike as they don't want to move after 13 years there.

Victoria added: "You have no choice really. And there’s no negotiation with the housing association.

"The rent increase just eats out of any money that you have left to have little luxuries in life."

She warned that increases for self-employed people, like herself and her husband, could force them to dip into savings to get by.

Thrive's executive director of operations, Jo Barrett, said: “As a landlord providing affordable homes, we understand that a rent increase is never welcome, especially when cost of living is high.

"However, as products and services in the UK get more expensive so to do our costs."

She added rents have increased in line with government guidance to deliver "the same fair services to our customers despite our rise in costs". Anyone facing difficulties paying has been encouraged to contact Thrive immediately.

The complaints came amid a wave of similar posts on social media - with many renters querying if there was anything they could do.

Advice for renters:

Experts at the Citizens Advice Bureau recommend that renters check their tenancy agreement when faced with an increase.

Landlords can't usually raise it during a fixed-term tenancy, unless the contract specifically states so.

The support service also recommends negotiating the amount with the owner as they may prefer a lower rate than finding another tenant.

It said it is also possible to challenge an increase by appealing to a free tribunal on the government website, although renters should still pay during this process to avoid eviction.