How many private renters are there in Barnet?
In 2015, the Office for National Statistics identified 91,000 private renters living in the borough. By 2020, this figure had risen to 107,000. Good news is that there are plenty of private renters to campaign with!
Why won’t private renters buy a home instead?
Because most renters can’t afford to buy in Barnet.
In 2021, the average house cost a staggering 16.1 times more than average earnings in Barnet. A stark increase from 2015, when the average home cost 14.05 times more. Current figures are expected to be even higher!
What about getting a council house?
In 2021, there were 3171 households waiting for a council property. Current figures are likely to be higher as the demand for social housing intensifies.
Barnet Homes manages all housing allocations on behalf of Barnet council. They offer successful applicants social housing but also properties in the private rented sector. Remember rents for the latter will be high and wait time for those in lower Bands will be longer.
Looks like we’re stuck in the private rented sector then. What’s it going to cost?
In the 12 months leading up to March 2016, according to the Valuation Office Agency, median (average) monthly rents for Barnet were:
Room in a shared house: £628
Studio flat: £862
One bedroom flat: £1,101
Two-bedroom flat: £1,400
Three-bedroom flat: £1,800
House with four or more bedrooms: £2,925
The private rental market has shifted significantly since 2016 and is currently facing a deep crisis.
In the 12 months leading up to September 2022, according to the Office of National Statistics, median (average) monthly rents for Barnet were:
Room in a shared house: £645
One bedroom flat: £1200
Two-bedroom flat: £1,450
Three-bedroom flat: £1,850
House with four or more bedrooms: £2,500
These figures exclude bills and council tax.
Covering the costs
Rent prices are inarguably high for those living in the private rented sector in Barnet. Findings from the English Housing Survey (2019-2020) indicate that private renters in London spend an average of 42% of their household income on rent.
Are there private renters who rely on housing benefits to meet the cost?
Yes- 16,490 private renters in Barnet claimed housing benefits to cover their rent in 2015. Unfortunately, the data hasn’t been updated to reflect more recent times but considering the rising cost of living and exponential rents, this figure is expected to be higher.
And does housing benefit cover it?
No. The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is the maximum amount of housing benefit you can get, regardless of whether you’re a private renter (renting from a private landlord) or a social renter (renting from the council or a housing association).
At the start of 2021, the monthly LHA in Barnet depends on which part of the borough you live in. The various rates are:
Room in a shared house: either £490.14 or £638.26
One-bedroom flat: £997.27 or £1067.04 or£1280.45
Two-bedroom flat: £1246.57 or £1296.45 or £1585.65
Three-bedroom flat: £1545.74 or £1595.62 or £1914.73
House with four or more bedrooms: £1844.92 or £1894.79 or £257
Can I talk to the council about problems with my private landlord?
Barnet Council recommends talking to your landlord about problems first, but if this isn’t possible or doesn’t help, they are able to give you advice. To report an issue with your accommodation, email or call 0208 359 7559. If you’re renting in a House in Multiple Occupation (e.g. a house divided into bedsits) you are advised to call 020 8359 5355
Alternatively you can write to the council using this address:
Private Sector Housing Team
Environmental Health
Barnet House
1255 High Road
Whetstone
London N20 0EJ
Are there any Tenancy Relations Officers?
No
Do private landlords in Barnet have to get a license?
All councils have to licence Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs). That is, flats or houses which are home to five or more people who aren’t all members of the same family), but it’s up to each council to decide whether to do it for other privately rented homes, too. Barnet council has an Additional Licensing Scheme which applies to the entire area of the borough. You can read the full designations here
Does Barnet council run a non-profit letting agency for private renters?
Yes, the scheme can only help people are homeless or have a homeless application pending, though.
More info coming soon.
How many prosecutions has Barnet Council made against criminal landlords?
Barnet Council made two prosecutions for criminal landlords from 2015-16, and eight prosecutions from 2016-17. You can read recent stories about prosecutions against Barnet landlords, here and here
Who else should I talk to about making private renting fairer in Barnet?
Every council is divided between Councillors, who are elected politicians, and non-political officers, who are appointed to do a particular job. In Barnet, these people should be able to help:
Councillor Ross Houston, Chairperson, Housing and Growth Committee
tel: 020 8343 7451
email:
Councillor Anne Clarke, Vice-Chairperson, Housing and Growth Committee
email: