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Calls to enshrine our human right to adequate housing in national law are growing louder. But as Hannah Shewan Stevens establishes, actually resolving this housing emergency will be more complicated than introduction of just one law.
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 has applied to all assured shorthold tenancies for over a year. Where a fee can be charged, the law states that the fee must be capped at £50 or cover ‘reasonable costs’. Astounded by a bill for £411, Matt Quinton registered a complaint with the relevant redress scheme and then, dug deeper to report on the size of the loophole.
15.03.2021: South West Londoner
Data from the Office of National Statistics confirmed that reports of falling rents in London had no real effect on the costs of less expensive rentals. We talked to Jonathan Bray about how the high cost of private renting has increased poverty in South West London.
06.07.2020: politics.co.uk
The coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated underlying inequalities. As incomes fall and rent arrears rise, the situation facing tenants is perilous and even worse for lodgers/excluded occupiers, as Chaminda Jayanetti found out for this thoroughly-researched piece.
Reported falls in monthly rents in Q2 of 2020 are insufficient to make the London private rented sector affordable, as Renters’ Rights London told Ruby Lott-Lavigna.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has published new analysis showing that adults living in the private rented sector are less likely to register to vote than others.
When there are at least six categories of ‘affordable homes’ what does ‘affordable’ actually mean? Ged Cann asked us about ‘affordable housing’.
Sirin Kale looked at strange stipulations and restrictive rules imposed by landlords and also, sharers. We point out that unreasonable terms are illegal terms and as such, unenforceable.
Renters who live with the landlord are often in a vulnerable position, with fewer legal protections than assured shorthold tenants, as we explained to Jessica Brown.
How can tenants avoid rogue landlords and criminal operators? We talked about some of the warning signs.
Lewisham Poverty Commission found that private sector rents in the borough rose by 40 per cent between 2011 and 2016. We spoke to Bridie Witton about the urgent need for rent controls.
While government is consulting on how best to implement a ban on letting agents’ fees to tenants, many renters are by-passing agents altogether. Frankie Crossley asked us what renters should know to minimize the risks.
Housing in London is fuelling economic inequality and pushing poverty to the outer boroughs. We talk to BBC News about the effect this is having on private renters
Resonance broadcast a discussion put together by Good London, who asked what the new London Mayor should do to tackle power imbalances, gender, housing, the environment and youth opportunity. Our contribution, about private renting in London, starts at 33 mins
Cameron plans to demolish some council estates, which means many social tenants will be decanted into the private rented sector where renters have very few rights. At the same time, Shelter announces conditions for private renters are the worst they have been since the 1960s. We talk to BBC News
Council tax is based on the value of a property, yet private renters – who don’t own the property so can’t benefit from its value – are the ones who pay it. Is this fair?
Meet the private renters who are fighting back against price hikes, unhealthy homes and revenge evictions
Europeans enjoy more rights and more stable rents than people in the UK, who suffer from the uniquely British phenomenon of amateur landlords
We went to Zemos98 in Seville, where we discussed the London renting scene with campaigners from all over Europe
Dave Hill discusses our new Renters’ Index
We discuss the results of the Halifax survey that shows that young people are giving up on buying a home
How two MPs derailed a bill to protect renters from revenge evictions, despite cross-party support
We discuss why the new rules for letting agents aren’t strong enough