Elderly tenants say steep rent hikes being imposed by a Richmond borough charity that houses them are causing sleepless nights.

Tenants of Richmond Foundation said they are living in fear of losing their homes of decades as they can't afford the steep increases in monthly rent, which they claimed represent a hike of up to 180 per cent in some cases.

They told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) their physical and mental health has declined since being given notice their rent would rise to "reflect market value" late last year, despite being let to them as charitable housing.

Richmond Foundation has introduced a new policy to bring "charitable" rents up to 70 per cent of market value, which tenants described as extortionate in an area as expensive as Richmond.

Richard Jackson, 75, said he and his wife are facing an increase in monthly rent from roughly £1,100 to £2,500, which they can't afford.

He said: "The impact is enormous. My blood pressure is up. I've had various other problems associated with stress. Both my wife and I aren't sleeping. Our kids are really concerned about us and where we are going to go. It's a real struggle."

Some tenants have been told they no longer meet Richmond Foundation's charitable criteria as their circumstances have changed, but they said they can't afford the hikes the charity is demanding.

They said they were asked for unprecedented personal information before being told of the changes, including their children's salaries, and it has also rolled out new rules on income, savings and occupancy.

Richmond Foundation told the LDRS its charitable purpose remains the same and any changes were carefully considered to ensure fairness and the sustainability of the charity.

"Although they say we want to listen to you and all the rest of it, they don't want to listen to us, they're just bulldozing ahead with their plans," Richard said. "It's all being done by fear."

Richard, who has lived in his home for 20 years, said the rent hikes are breaking up the community by forcing people to move, and Richmond Foundation has shown them "no compassion".

He said: "There's going to be a real big jolt for everybody as you've built up a network, a network of doctors, carers, people who look after you, friends, family who have got an eye out for you, and all that they just want to throw away."

Richard said this is a far cry from when tenants moved in, as he claimed: "We were all told, in some form or another, that we would have a home as long as we wanted it."

Another tenant, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed she was told her property with Richmond Foundation would be a "home for life" when she gave up social housing to move there 16 years ago, which the charity disputes.

She said it is "horrendous" to now see her monthly rent rise from £1,009 to £1,440, with her being told it will be raised by a similar amount next year. She described tenants' devastation at having the rent increases sprung on them, with many retired or heading towards retirement.

The mum told the LDRS her mental health has "reached an all-time low" and she has been prescribed antidepressants.

She said: "I've seen my neighbour, a fully grown man in his 60s, crying because he thinks he's going to lose his home. It's just devastating. There's quite a few of us who have had chronic diseases, cancer – we're in recovery – this is making us ill."

She added: "[Your home] is supposed to be your safe space but it isn't, and I don't think it is for any of my neighbours that I know. All of them are in the same position. They're not sleeping, they're worrying, their health is going downhill. That's just a horrible way to live."

She described communication from Richmond Foundation with tenants as "terrible" and said people who have signed the new tenancies did so "out of fear".

She added: "I don't feel like they're even treating us like we're human beings."

The tenant said the rent increases would push more working class people out of Richmond.

She said: "They're going to end up with no one in schools, in Sainsbury's, in care homes and nurseries being able to afford to live in Richmond, and the charity was set up to help people exactly like them. It's so horrible. It's like culling the working class people of Richmond."

Tim Whitehead, 75, who has been a tenant of Richmond Foundation for 38 years, said he faces an increase of 60 per cent from £1,123 to £1,792 in his monthly rent.

He said he feels compelled to dispute the steep rent hikes as they are "outrageous… wrong".

Tim told the LDRS the steep rent increases go against Richmond Foundation's charitable purposes to relieve hardship for those most in need.

He said: "How is that charitable? How is that dealing with poverty in Richmond? It's not. It's absolutely, obviously not."

He added: "They haven't been ready to negotiate in any way or brook any question [about whether] what they're doing is correct."

Tenants are complaining to the Charity Commission as they want an independent investigation into Richmond Foundation's actions.

A Richmond Foundation spokesperson told the LDRS tenants can apply for extra help where affordability is an issue.

The spokesperson said: "We recognise that changes to rent and tenancy arrangements have caused concern for some affected tenants. However, Richmond Foundation's charitable purpose has not changed.

"We exist to relieve hardship and support residents of Richmond borough who are most in need. Housing is one of the ways we deliver that support, alongside our wider grant-making programme, and we have a responsibility to ensure our limited resources are used as effectively as possible.

"We are aware of concerns raised by some residents, but we do not believe it is accurate to characterise the situation as has been suggested. Tenancies are granted in line with charity law and our governing documents.

"We have aimed to communicate clearly and respectfully throughout, including through our managing agent, who maintains regular and supportive contact with residents. Affected tenants were contacted in writing in 2025 and offered individual discussions and practical support."

They added: "Where households no longer meet the foundation's eligibility criteria, usually due to a change in circumstances, market rent may apply. Any changes have been carefully considered to ensure fairness and the long-term sustainability of the charity and the homes it provides.

"We continue to listen and respond to residents where concerns are raised. Our focus remains on balancing affordability with maintaining homes and services, so we can continue to support those most in need, now and in the future."