Residents of Welwyn Hatfield have raised concerns over a 29.92 per cent increase in garage rent prices starting in April.
The price for a standard garage was £13.70 per week. In the 2023/24 budget, the prices have gone up to £17.80 per week, varying depending on the size of the garage.
This is a 29.92 per cent increase.
Chris Andrews, who has rented a garage from the council for about five years, said: "It's appalling. They virtually do no maintenance of garages. The one I took over they hadn't painted for 10 years, and they said it wasn't due for a repaint.
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"The only thing they did was put in a new door because it was rotten at the bottom because of rust, and I said I was not prepared to take it in that state. There is no electricity or water, so they are not providing any services.
"While I understand the need to cover increased costs, I am at a loss to understand their justification for this almost 30 per cent increase.
"The council are using garages and allotments as cash cows to enable expenditure of other services, which is totally unacceptable."
Recently, the council also increased the prices of allotments rented in Welwyn Hatfield.
These increases are part of the 2023/24 budget, which has also seen an increase in council tax.
Steve Rich rents a garage in Burrowfield, Welwyn Garden City. He said: "I'm not happy with the garage rent increase.
"The increase plus the garden waste increase cancels out my state pension increase.
"I've rented the same garage for 18 years and it always takes multiple calls to get maintenance done."
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A spokesperson from Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council said: "We have reluctantly had to raise our fees and charges this year because of the legacy of Covid-19 on income, and the impact of inflation and higher utility costs."
Another resident, Alan Clarke added: "My garage rental will increase by almost 64 per cent. Are the council unaware that a cost-of-living crisis is having a huge detrimental impact on many of the residents of Welwyn Hatfield?
"There is a lack of parking around here, so I need my garage. The prices everything from electricity to fuel has gone up so there is no justification.
A Maple Grove renter Stuart added: "I require my garage but with these prices, I am considering leaving it - but where would I go?"
In response, a Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council spokesperson said: "The decision to increase garage rents and charges has not been taken lightly but has been necessary to allow us to continue to provide the essential services that residents value the most.
"We recognise how important garages are for our residents for storage and for parking.
"Even with the increase in rents and charges, which vary according to location and demand, our garages continue to be one of the most cost- effective options for storage within the borough."
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