How many private renters are there in Camden?
In 2016, the Office of National Statistics identified 61,900 private renters in Camden. By 2020, this figure had jumped up to 67,400. Current post-pandemic figures are expected to be higher as renters return to London for in-person work and education.
If you’re looking to join forces with other renters, check out Camden Private Renters and Camden Federation of Private Tenants.
Why don’t private renters opt towards buying a house?
Because in Camden, brace yourself…the average home costs over 19 times more than average earnings- the 4th highest in the country! Unfortunately, this means buying a house is out of reach for many people.
What about getting a council house?
Well, as of April 2021, there were 7,062 households on the waiting list for a council home- that’s over 4,000 more households than in 2016!
Just like other boroughs in Greater London, Camden’s experiencing a social housing shortage, so current figures are most likely higher.
Looks like we’re stuck in the private rented sector then. What’s it going to cost?
In the 12 months leading up to April 2016, according to the Valuation Office Agency, , median (average) monthly rents were:
Room in a shared house: £780
Studio flat: £1,040
One bedroom flat: £1,430
Two bedroom flat: £1,820
Three bedroom flat: £2,503
House with four or more bedrooms: £3,250
The private rental market has shifted significantly since 2016 and its current crisis has impacted rents in London.
In the 12 months leading up to September 2022, according to the Office for National Statistics median (average) monthly rents for Camden were:
Room in a shared house: Currently figure NA
One bedroom flat: £1550
Two bedroom flat: £2050
Three bedroom property: £2800
Four bedroom property: £3575
These figures exclude bills and council tax.
Covering the costs
Private renters in Camden face some of the highest rents in the country, with the borough ranking 4th highest for average monthly rents, as of 2022.
Are there private renters who rely on housing benefits to stay afloat?
Yes- 4,260 private renters claimed housing benefits in Camden 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 all?
Not really. 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). From 1 April 2024, the monthly LHA in Camden is:
Central London (e.g. Holborn, St Pancras)
Shared Accommodation Rate: £827.54
One Bedroom Rate: £1436.02
Two Bedrooms Rate: £1789.06
Three Bedrooms Rate: £2154.10
Four Bedrooms Rate: £3038.62
Inner North London (e.g. Camden Town, Kentish Town)
Shared Accommodation Rate: £706.33
One Bedroom Rate: £1436.02
Two Bedrooms Rate: £1789.06
Three Bedrooms Rate: £2154.10
Four Bedrooms Rate: £3051.62
Can I talk to someone at the council about problems with my private landlord?
Yes. Camden Council runs a housing advice service. If you’d prefer to call them, the number is 020 7974 4444. Unlike some London councils, Camden has a specialist team for private renters. They are trained to help if you have received a section 21 Notice or are experiencing illegal eviction or harassment from your landlord.
So Camden still has Tenancy Relations Officers (TROs)?
Camden calls them the Private Sector Sustainment Team, but they have the same function as TROs (for example, tackling private landlords who harass their tenants). The team manager is Harcourt Jones, on 020 7974 8854.
How about the Environmental Health team – do they help private renters?
Yes. Camden is one of the better London councils for this: while some London councils have only a general environmental health team for all types of home, Camden has a large environmental health team dedicated to private renting. They deal with things like damp, mould, infestations and faulty boilers.
Do private landlords in Camden have to get a licence?
All councils have to licence large Houses of Multiple Occupation (a house or flat with five or more people living in it). But councils can also choose to licence smaller HMOs, and Camden has recently started to do so. In Camden, any home shared by three or more adults should be licensed. Remember, if your landlord has failed to get a licence, any Section 21 (no-fault eviction notice) you receive is invalid. More info about Camden’s landlord licensing.
Does Camden Council run a non-profit letting agency for private renters?
Some councils are starting to run non-profit letting agencies for private renters. Camden Council runs one called Camden Lettings.
Does Camden council give cash incentives to private landlords just to behave decently?
Unfortunately, yes. The council gives private landlords cash incentives of some £2,500 to £4,000 just to behave decently and make rents affordable to ordinary people – when landlords should be doing that anyway!
Does Camden Council have a Private Rented Sector (PRS) forum, where private renters can discuss ways to make private renting better?
Camden Council is one of only two councils in the whole of London that funds a local private renters’ group, Camden Federation of Private Tenants (CFPT). If you rent your home from a private landlord in Camden, you’re entitled to join CFPT and you will be very welcome.
Not many people know that councils have the power to prosecute landlords who break the law. Unfortunately, in the current system it takes lots of time and money to do this using the criminal courts, so some councils don’t do it. Licensing would allow councils to use civil rather than criminal courts, which would make it easier to hold bad landlords to account.
How many criminal landlords has Camden prosecuted in the last five years?
We are currently waiting for an up to date figure from the council, but it should be quite a lot as we do know that Camden Council prosecuted 20 between 2011 and 2014 .
Camden even fined one of its own Conservative Councillors in 2016 for being a shoddy landlord!
What else do I need to know?
Camden Council administers the London Landlord Accreditation Scheme (LLAS). LLAS is a partnership of London boroughs, landlord organisations and educational organisations to recognise good practice and improve conditions in the private rented sector.
http://www.londonlandlords.org.uk/
Camden is one of six councils which contributed to the building of the London Mayor’s “name and shame” database, which contains information about private landlords and letting agents who have been prosecuted or fined. The database is now live and all London councils contribute to the Mayor’s Rogue Landlord and Agent Checker
Who else should I talk to about making private renting fairer in Camden?
Every council is divided between Councillors, who are elected politicians, and non-political officers, who are appointed to do a particular job. In Camden, these people might should be able to help:
Councillor Meric Apak
Cabinet Member for Better Homes
e.
Councillor Patricia Callaghan
Cabinet Member for Safer Communities and Deputy Leader
email: