Concerns have been voiced over the dramatic increase in energy prices by Bolton at Home .

The housing body recently announced price increases for a number of its tenants.

And now those living at Maxton House, Bolton, have recently been told they face a similar increase.

The property on Bridgewater Street, Farnworth, is home to 36 elderly people who require assistance with living.

They have all received a letter alerting them to a rise in the price of their electricity from £13 and £14 to £70 to £80.

Bolton at Home: Tenants warned that energy bills set to soar

The letter sent to residents stated: “We know this is a big increase in the charge.

“Part of the reason the changes are so high is due to how long the heating is on each day and how high the temperatures are set.

“If the majority of tenants tell us they are happy to reduce these setting then the increase in charges will not be as large although they could still be in the region of £50 to £60 per week.”

Around 1,000 Bolton at Home households pay service charges for communal boilers, including atround 600 sheltered housing customers, 300 general let households and 60 leaseholders. 

But officials have insisted insisted that it is simply not possible to continue absorbing the ever mounting costs of energy, which have been in effect all over the country

Amanda Fox, a relative of one of the residents, said: “They are vulnerable residents, that is why they are there.

“The need assistant with living.

“It is £360 per month, that is their full pension.

“Bolton at Home have asked at what times of the day do people want their heating on how is that going to work with 36 residents if they all want different times.”

One person who lives there said she had started buying cheap food due to fear of the price increases.

Another said they were considering leaving as a result of the changes.

Bolton at Home have previously told The Bolton News: “We’ve written to all affected customers before introducing any changes, to invite their views on how we manage their communal heating systems and to see if they would rather we provided heating differently where they live for a smaller increase in charges. 

“This isn’t about taking away heating but looking at potential ways to minimise costs for customers while ensuring they still have comfortable temperatures at home.  

“We always urge customers with money worries to contact us for support, and more information about this consultation on communal heating charges is available on our website.”