One of Bolton’s biggest housing providers has raised its rents as the cost of living crisis continues to bite across the borough and beyond.

Bolton at Home says that it has been left with no choice but to increase rents due to the rising cost of building materials and that as a non-profit organisation it needs to money to be able to reinvest in its housing.

The housing group announced the increase, capped at a rate of 4.1 per cent which comes into effect from this month onwards, at a Bolton Council scrutiny meeting last Wednesday.

Bolton at Home chief executive officer Jon Lord said: “We know that times are tough and this isn’t a decision we’ve taken lightly, but the rising costs of materials needed to build and repair homes means that a rent increase is unavoidable.

“For example, cement, plasterboard and insulation costs are forecast to rise by up to 20 per cent, as well as the rising costs of new doors and windows.

“The increase follows the government’s set rent formula of the Consumer Price Index plus one per cent and will help us to match those rising price demands so we can continue to catch up on repairs following the pandemic, make houses more energy efficient to cut bills and meet the urgent need for new homes.

“This isn’t just a Bolton issue, housing providers across Greater Manchester are increasing rents by the same levels, and our customers still pay rents at a lower rate than other parts of the region.”

Bolton at Home helps to house some of the borough’s most vulnerable people who are most in need of housing and says without the increase it would have to scale back its plans to deliver housing.

But Mr Lord stressed that help is available for people struggling with payments.

He said: “If any of our customers are concerned, they can’t keep up with payments then they should contact us on 01204 328000.

“Our money advice team can support you to manage your payments or bills, or access funding or entitlements which you are eligible for, which can save customers thousands of pounds.”