Multi-millionaire peer Alexander Courtenay, the 19th Earl of Devon, is facing a fierce backlash for imposing what tenants are calling 'disgusting' rent hikes on social housing properties. The controversy centres on the historic Powderham Estate, which the Earl manages.
Residents of the modest homes on the estate have been hit with increases of up to £100 per month, a devastating blow during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Many tenants, who are on low or fixed incomes, now fear they may be unable to afford their homes.
A Fortune Built on History and Tenants
The Courtenay family's wealth is immense. Their ancestral seat, Powderham Castle, is a major tourist attraction set within a sprawling 3,500-acre estate. The family's property portfolio is estimated to be worth a staggering £100 million.
Despite this vast wealth, the decision was made to significantly raise rents for some of the area's most vulnerable residents. The estate manages over 100 rental properties, a mix of social housing and more expensive market-rate homes.
Tenants Speak Out: 'It's Disgusting'
The human impact of these increases is profound. One tenant, a 66-year-old grandmother, expressed her despair: "I just don't know what I'm going to do. I'm on a pension. I can't just go out and get a job. It's disgusting, it really is."
Another long-term resident revealed the shocking scale of the hike: "My rent has gone up from £625 to £725 a month. That's a huge jump. They are just greedy." These stories highlight the growing anxiety and anger amongst those affected.
The Earl's Defence and Mounting Criticism
In response to the outcry, Lord Devon stated that the increases were necessary due to rising costs for maintenance, materials, and energy. He claimed that rents on the social housing properties had been kept "artificially low for decades" and that the estate was simply bringing them closer to market rates, albeit still significantly below them.
However, this justification has done little to quell the criticism. Local councillors and housing advocacy groups have condemned the moves as tone-deaf and exploitative. The scandal paints a stark picture of the widening gap between the wealthy elite and struggling families during a national housing crisis.
