Southwark Council has proposed to increase property inspection fees for pests by 130% in its 2022/23 draft budget.
This, Southwark News reported, would equate to a price of £57.30 per visit, while discounted visits will jump 100% to £28.60.
Councillors have expressed unease about the higher pest control charges and their effect on vulnerable residents, who are already struggling amid surging living costs.
Liberal Democrats Cllr Maria Linforth-Hall said: “Southwark Labour is not listening to residents complaining about fly-tipping, damp or mouldy flats and disrepair in estates.
“That it now wants to add to residents’ woes by making it even more expensive to deal with pest issues is not only ignorant, but also cruel to those on lower incomes. It cannot complain about inflationary pressures on people in our borough while adding to these issues as well.”
These potential increases follow similar changes last year when Southwark Council hiked fees by 94%.
In a statement, Southwark Council said: “A benchmarking exercise with local pest control service providers and neighbouring boroughs with similar characteristics and demographics to Southwark, shows that these new prices remain extremely competitive.”
It said treatments for rodents, bed bugs, moths and fleas will increase by 2%, which is “in line with inflation”.
