Stockton Labour Councillors Demand Rent Freeze from Thirteen as Reserves Top £800m

Cllrs Paul & Katie Weston have called for the teesside landlord to freeze rents

The Councillors Representing Billingham South have Challenged Teesside Housing Giants Thirteen Housing Group Over Rent Rises Despite £838m Reserves...

10th March 2026

Councillors in Billingham have called on one of the region’s largest housing providers to freeze rents for the coming year, arguing that continued increases are unfair while many residents face ongoing cost-of-living pressures.

In a formal letter sent to the leadership of Thirteen Housing Group, councillors from Stockton Borough Council say they are “dismayed” by the organisation’s decision to continue raising rents for social housing tenants. The letter, signed by ward councillors Paul Weston and Katie Weston, represents residents in Billingham South and calls for an immediate halt to further increases.

Fifth consecutive rent rise

The Teesside Housing Giant has implemented its fifth above inflation rent increase which many claim is squeezing low income households to the brink.

According to the councillors, Thirteen has implemented rent increases of 1% above inflation for five consecutive years, affecting many tenants across Billingham and wider Teesside communities. They argue the increases come at a time when many residents are still struggling with rising living costs.

In a social media statement, the councillors said:

“It is disappointing that Thirteen Group, who own much of, if not all, the social housing in Billingham South Ward, is putting up rents 1% above inflation for the fifth year in a row.”

They added that many families are still facing the stark reality of choosing between essential household costs.

Concerns over growing reserves

The councillors’ letter also highlights the so called 'housing association’s' financial position, claiming that its capital and reserves have grown significantly in recent years.

According to figures cited in the letter, Thirteen’s reserves have now reportedly increased from £632 million to more than £838 million, including a surplus of over £34 million pounds in the last financial year alone.

While acknowledging the need for housing providers to remain financially stable, the councillors argue that further rent increases are difficult to justify given the organisation’s current financial strength.

In the letter they write that raising rents while holding such reserves risks “embedding the widespread deprivation already present within our communities.”

Call for immediate rent freeze

As a result, the councillors have formally asked the housing association’s leadership to implement a rent freeze for the next financial year. They argue that such a move would offer relief to tenants during continued economic uncertainty and demonstrate a commitment to tackling inequality.

The letter concludes by stating that a truly resilient community is one where residents are not pushed further into poverty by their landlord, and invites Thirteen’s leadership team to discuss the issue further.

The housing association has also faced criticism in the past over what opponents describe as an “aggressive tax avoidance strategy” being used by the corporation, with the organisation arguing that any surplus is reinvested into improving its housing stock rather than being subject to corporation tax. Critics, however, have pointed to losses linked to its former housebuilding arm, Gus Robinson Developments, alongside senior executive pay rises reportedly worth around £11,000 per year for its chief executive. Campaigners say such issues highlight a growing disconnect between large housing providers and the communities they serve, with some calling for housing associations of this scale to lose their charitable status and operate under the same financial scrutiny as private sector landlords.

At the time of writing, Thirteen Group had not publicly responded to the councillors’ request.