How many private renters are there in the London Borough of Bromley?
In 2015, there were over 50,000 people living in privately-rented homes in Bromley, according to the Office for National Statistics. That number is almost certainly higher now, as more people have moved to the suburbs seeking to pay less extreme rents.
If renting privately is so bad, is buying a house not an option?
Unfortunately, average house prices in Bromley are 10.88 times the average salary, which makes home buying an unaffordable option for most people.
Why don’t private renters get a council home then?
Again, this isn’t an option for most. There are currently 2,793 people on the waiting list for a council home in Bromley.
Looks like we’re stuck in the private rented sector then. What’s it going to cost?
Monthly median average rents for Bromley, recorded by the Valuation Office Agency, are below. Remember, these figures don’t include fuel or council tax bills:
Room in a shared house: £510
Studio flat: £750
One bedroom flat: £900
Two-bedroom flat: £1,200
Three-bedroom flat: £1,450
House with four or more bedrooms: £2,000
That’s a lot. I guess that means a lot of private renters have to claim housing benefit to stay alive then?
Yes – 5,182 private tenants in Bromley claim housing benefit to cover their rent.
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). The monthly LHA in Bromley depends on which part of the borough you live in, the rates are:
Inner South East London (Anerley, Penge)
Shared Accommodation Rate:£412.44
One Bedroom Rate:£884.35
Two Bedrooms Rate:£1,149.59
Three Bedrooms Rate:£1,433.12
Four Bedrooms Rate:£1,807.09
Outer South East London (most of the borough, including Orpington and Bromley itself)
Shared Accommodation Rate:£365.17
One Bedroom Rate:£697.76
Two Bedrooms Rate:£858.48
Three Bedrooms Rate:£1,049.53
Four Bedrooms Rate:£1,355.33
Can I talk to someone at the council about problems with my private landlord?
The Housing Options team provide advice, and general assistance to anyone with a query or problem regarding housing issues. For them to help, you will need to complete the housing options assessment form.
Do private landlords in Bromley have to get a licence?
The mandatory HMO licensing scheme applies borough wide, as it does across England and Wales. This means that all rented homes with five or more occupants who aren’t all member of one family, must be licensed.
More info coming soon.
How many criminal landlords has Bromley council prosecuted?
We are still waiting on an up to date figure from the Council, but we do know that Bromley prosecuted four landlords between 2011-2014
Who else should I talk to about making private renting fairer in Bromley?
At Bromley Council, because she also deals with housing needs, this person might be good to talk to:
Councillor Dianne Smith
Portfolio Holder for Care Services (including Public Health)
02083134422
Diane.Smith@bromley.gov.uk