THE controversial bedroom tax has left thousands of social housing tenants in the region behind on their rent - with some households making themselves homeless to avoid further debts, an investigation by The Northern Echo has found.

Councils and housing associations have witnessed a sharp rise in the number of tenants in rent arrears since April when changes to the housing benefit system were introduced.

In the worst cases, tenants struggling to pay their bills are giving up their homes because they can no longer afford them.

The evidence casts fresh doubt on claims by the coalition Government that its welfare reforms are not causing the levels of misery predicted.

Vela Group, which through Tristar Homes and Housing Hartlepool owns more than 17,000 homes in the Tees Valley, has seen rent arrears rise by almost £65,000 since the end of March.

It currently has almost 3,000 tenants who are subject to the bedroom tax, with only 287 having downsized since the bedroom tax was announced.

Of those affected by the tax, 63 per cent of Housing Hartlepool and 78 per cent of Tristar tenants are now in arrears, compared to just 31 per cent and 46 per cent at the end of March.

Dave Pickard, Vela director of operations, said these figures showed the impact that the Government’s welfare reform policy on its tenants.

He added: “It is worrying to see the increases in debt and although some tenants are moving to avoid the impact, others are staying put to try and manage.

“We are also beginning to see signs that some tenants are giving up their homes due to issues of affordability.”

Cestria Community Housing, which manages 4,200 properties in the Chester-le-Street area, has seen its rent arrears among the 307 households affected by the bedroom tax rise by £18,000 since March.

During the same period, Darlington Borough Council's rent arrears increased by almost £60,000 among its 5,500 tenancies – a 13 per cent rise.

The council said it was still working to access the impact of the changes. A spokeswoman added: “The increase is not completely due to under-occupation ‘bedroom tax’ and may be caused by the fact that people have to pay council tax for the first time.”

In North Yorkshire, Richmondshire District Council has seen a 15 per cent increase in tenants falling into arrears since March, with the council’s total debt due to outstanding rent rising by £3,000.

A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: “We always monitor the impact of our policies carefully, but there is no conclusive evidence that people affected by our housing benefit reforms are not getting the help they need. We’ve given councils £150m so vulnerable claimants get the help they need.

"This reform will save hard working taxpayers almost £1bn over the next two years and will help restore fairness to our housing benefit system.”

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg last week told The Northern Echo that stark claims of misery caused by the bedroom tax in the North-East would be proved wrong.

The tax has penalised social housing tenants with spare rooms, cutting benefit by 14 per cent for an extra bedroom and 25 per cent where there are two.

Housing charity Shelter urged anyone struggling to pay their rent to seek advice as soon as possible.

For help, visit shelter.org.uk/advice