Any lingering hope that the Renters (Reform) Bill might pass into law was dashed with the dissolution of parliament. But we remain sanguine. After all, whoever forms the next government already knows that the current system is inadequate. Here in London, the number of ‘no fault’ evictions (via the abominable ‘section 21’) increased 52% in the last year, according to analysis from City Hall. That’s more than five times the eviction rate in other parts of the country.
Whoever wins power, we will urge them to act swiftly and decisively, to better protect the health and well-being of 11 million people living in privately rented homes around England. Politicians act fastest to serve the interests of the people who vote for them, though. Please support campaigning efforts by voting in the forthcoming election?
If you haven’t yet registered to vote, you have until Tuesday 18th June to get on the electoral roll. You could also apply for a postal vote at the same time. If you prefer to vote in person but need ID, get a Voter Authority Cert., too.
There’s an interactive map on the Electoral Reform Society website which shows the approximate number of eligible voters who have not bothered to register. In this constituency, Holborn & St Pancras, that’s 19845 people. Over in Poplar & Limehouse, there are more than 26000 people who could vote but haven’t registered. Voting matters; please vote in 2024.
What if the landlord backs out?
It’s not easy to find a new home in London. Oisin and Adina searched for six weeks before they found a place they could afford, within walking distance of their son’s school.
They paid their deposit money, plus the sum of the first months rent and prepared to move in on 16 June. Then, on Monday, the letting agent telephoned. He said that he and the office manager were trying to convince the property owner to honour the contract but that “Her circumstances have changed”. Less than two weeks before the family was to move to their new home, they learnt that the landlord did not wish to go ahead. Oisin and Adina were stunned.
As with everything which is important, rather than having a telephone conversation, they should have asked the agent to send an email. But neither was thinking clearly.
Still, a tenancy agreement is a contract, legally binding on both landlord and tenant. If this landlord backs out in this way, the renters can sue the landlord for breach of contract. To do so, they will need evidence to support their case.
With written evidence to furnish the facts of the matter, it’s highly likely that the court would rule in their favour. Then, the landlord would be liable to reimburse any costs Adina and Oisin incur now, as a result of her breach of their contract. That could include the cost of a short-let, if the family can’t find a new home fast, as well as an order to cover their legal costs in bringing the claim. Adina and Oisin might also be entitled to a payment for damages.
But legal action of this sort takes months. Finding a place to live has become urgent. The couple asked the letting agent whether he has any appropriate house or flat available. He has promised to do all he can to find them a place.
But Renters’ Rights London suggested that Oisin or Adina should write to the agent, anyway. As well as detailing what happened on what date, they could emphasise how this has affected the family. They could also thank the agent for working to help find a suitable alternative to move into on 16 June. Adina and Oisin might need that email, if they take legal action.
Today, there’s still time for that landlord to change her mind and honour the contract. Otherwise, we must hope that the letting agency has something just as good or better on their books. But for now, it’s a really horrible situation to be in.
The right to food; the time is now
Just as adequate housing is our human right, we also have a human right to adequate food. In his role as UN Special Rapporteur on Food, Professor Michael Fakhri examines hunger and food insecurity in countries around the World. He only visits two countries each year.
Back in August 2022, the UN Special Rapporteur made a request to conduct an official visit to the UK, to analyse the levels of poverty, food bank use, and reports of hunger. But for over 21 months, the UK Government refused to facilitate such a visit. And Renters’ Rights London was one of 85 organisations that called on Rishi Sunak to reverse that decision in an open letter.
Now, in the run-up to a General Election on 4 July, we are calling on all political parties to recognise that the right to food—which includes freedom from hunger and access to good food—is a fundamental human right. Just like the right to adequate housing. Governments might change but our basic needs do not. The time is now.
Should your home be licensed?
The patchwork of Additional and Selective licensing schemes in effect around London can make it hard to know. And licensing is not your responsibility anyway, dear renter. The landlord or their agent must apply and pay for the property licence.
Still, if your home should be licensed but is not
- any section 21 notice seeking possession is invalid
- you are entitled to apply for a rent repayment order
Every address where five or more people share facilities— a kitchen or bathroom— must be licensed. This is ‘mandatory licensing’, required by the law of the land. But many London councils have also introduced Additional or Selective licensing schemes. These licensing schemes might apply to homes rented by three sharers or could apply to every rental within a given area.
You can use the Mayor London’s property licence checker to find out whether your home should be licensed.
