An area of Liverpool has been branded a "ghost street" after several residents were forced to move out due to rent increases.
A man living on Galingale Road in Norris Green said one of their neighbours has already moved out and two more are planning to do the same.
Just two months ago, the resident was told his rent would go up from £680 to £850 and that this was non-negotiable - meaning he will also move from the area.
He told the Liverpool Echo : "The place is already becoming a ghost street, one of my neighbours has already moved out, another is going at the end of the month and another has just said they are moving out too.
"No one can afford to pay this. We have decided to go now too, with the price of gas and electric going up we can't afford this. It is really worrying for everyone."
He added: "This doesn't seem to matter to them at all, it feels like they are actively trying to force people out."
Another resident, Andy, 50, had to move back in with his 78-year-old mum after being informed of a sudden rent increase of £235, while his partner is moving in with her elderly father.
Andy said: "It's certainly not what I envisaged at 50 years old, but I don't have any other choice right now.
"When the letter came through I told them I couldn't afford it and asked if they could reduce it to £700. They said the best they could do is £825 but that would lock me in for two years. I couldn't afford that anyway with all our bills going up so I'm moving out.
"It's just a sign of the times I think. No one seems to care about anyone anymore. It is all just about money."
The letter mentioned by Andy came from Leeds-based Allsop Lettings who manage a number of properties in the street on behalf of a landlord, believed to be based in Jersey.
One more Galingale Road resident said: "We moved into our house in 2018, originally paying £610 per month. This was increased in 2019 to £625 per month. We never missed a payment.
"On October 6 this year we received an email to say our rent will be increasing to £850 - a 36% increase - and that we needed to sign a fixed term contract.
"The tone of the email suggested that the landlord was doing us a favour, stating 'If you do choose to renew your agreement you will, of course, avoid the cost and time of moving'.
"It also stated that if we did not agree with the increase we needed to hand in a four week notice and leave the property. The £850 rent increase is due 25/11/22, exactly 1 month before Christmas."
A number of residents have been in contact with Norris Green councillor Barry Kushner, who described the situation as "a tragedy."
Mr Kushner said: "The rent increases for private residents in Norris Green are driving people out of their homes, and making people homeless through no fault of their own. I am supporting families that are having to pay up to 30% more in their rent overnight and they just can’t afford it.
"I can't imagine in any other area that prices would be allowed not go up like this. This is wrong and a tragedy. How are residents supposed to pay an extra £200 to 300 per month, when their energy bills have doubled, food is increasing by 14% and petrol has increased by 30%+.
"They just can’t cope. This is a housing crisis on top of a cost of living crisis, and it is fuelled by the irresponsible and heartless behaviour of private landlords."
He added that the local authority is looking at what it can do to control these sudden rent increases.
A spokesperson for Allsop said: "We have been in close dialogue with a number of residents of the Galingale Road development to offer new assured shorthold tenancies at rental prices in line with the market.
"These tenancies typically last for 12 months, providing greater certainty for tenants compared with existing month-to-month tenancies. We have recently agreed a good number of these renewals with existing tenants. In every case we allow adequate time for consultation and to discuss options with the tenant.
“To establish the market rent we follow a rent setting framework, which considers rents achieved at the same, or similar properties via new lettings as well as evidence from nearby schemes.
"We encourage any household with extenuating circumstances or who have come to the end of their tenancy to reach out to their dedicated property manager to discuss their circumstances and will always work collaboratively with the residents to help them identify the most suitable solution for them.
"We maintain high standards in managing lease renewals in a fair and compliant manner and in keeping with a privately owned and professionally managed residential portfolio."
