Council Leader pledges to suspend rent for council tenant flood victims

    The suspension will mean that any council tenant who has been a severely impacted by flooding will not be charged rent for a two month period.

    Cllr Marland has also called on private landlords to consider helping their impacted tenants if possible.

    On Monday around two months worth of rain fell in just a few hours and several hundred properties across Milton Keynes have been affected. Some people have lost all their possessions. The worst hit estates were around the centre of the city, but other areas such as Stoke Goldington and Newport were also hit.

    MK Council will continue to work with local communities and an advice and help centre will be available on Netherfield tomorrow from 11am.

    The Labour-run council yesterday announced that a £100k hardship fund will be established, and details of how residents hit by the floods can access emergency funding will be publicised  tomorrow (Friday). The scheme will be open to all residents severely impacted by flooding.

    Cllr Marland said: "MK Council wants to do all we can to help people get back on their feet after the devastating flooding. We will therefore be suspending rent for two months for council tenants severely impacted by flooding to their property. No council tenant whose property has been flooded will pay a penny in rent for two months."

    "I know many of those affected by flooding are not council tenants, so I am appealing to private landlords to follow our lead, if it is at all possible, and consider this issue if your property has flooded. I know the vast majority of private landlords are good landlords and will will want to consider how they can help their tenants."

    "I also want to make sure that all residents, regardless of if they rent from MK Council, a private landlord or own their own home can access emergency financial help if they need it. We will be releasing details of the Flood Emergency Hardship scheme tomorrow. This will be a grant. No one should have to go to a pay day lender or loan shark to cover emergency costs."

    "Today I have been listening to residents on Netherfield who have been affected, and MK Council will be offering our flood advice service there tomorrow from 11am. The residents of that estate have pulled together and done an amazing job."

    "The floods have required one of the largest responses ever from MK Council. Our staff are doing an amazing job in very difficult circumstances, working long hours, with some even cancelling leave to help people. Our resources are stretched but we are determined to do all we can to help people during this difficult time."

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