How many private renters are there in Croydon?
In 2015, The Office for National Statistics identified 67,600 private renters in Croydon.
If renting is so bad, why don’t private renters just buy a house?
Because in Croydon, the average home costs 10.25 times the average income. This puts home ownership beyond the reach of most people.
Why can’t they get a council house then?
There are currently 4,530 households on the waiting list for a council house in the borough. Most will be living in privately-rented accommodation at the moment.
Looks like we’re stuck in the private rented sector then. What’s it going to cost?
Monthly median average rents in Croydon, recorded by the Valuation Office Agency, are
Room in a shared house: £500
Studio flat: £720
One-bedroom flat: £875
Two-bedroom flat: £1,150
Three-bedroom flat: £1,350
House with four or more bedrooms: £1,825
These figures don’t include fuel bills or council tax, that’s just the rent.
That’s a lot. I guess that means a lot of private renters have to claim housing benefit to live then?
Yes – more than 16,000 private renters in Croydon need 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 Croydon is different depending on where you live in the borough. At the start of 2021, the rates are:
Inner South East London (e.g. Upper Norwood, Crystal Palace)
Shared Accommodation Rate:£515.10
One Bedroom Rate:£1146.86
Two Bedrooms Rate:£1346.28
Three Bedrooms Rate:£1670.41
Four Bedrooms Rate:£2193.97
Outer South London (e.g. East Croydon, Purley, Thornton Heath)
Shared Accommodation Rate:£448.76
One Bedroom Rate:£872.60
Two Bedrooms Rate:£1096.98
Three Bedrooms Rate:£1371.24
Four Bedrooms Rate:£1730.26
How many privately rented homes in Croydon are overcrowded?
The 2011 Census found that 18% of private rented households in the borough were overcrowded.
Can I talk to someone at the council about problems with my private landlord?
Yes. Croydon Council employs Tenancy Relations Officers to help you if you’re facing harassment from your landlord or if you’re threatened with illegal eviction. Telephone the Tenancy Relations Service on 020 8760 5749 or contact the team via email . They will investigate your case.
You should also contact Private Sector Housing if your landlord is not carrying out repairs or proper maintenance. You can contact them via email
Do private landlords in Croydon have to get a licence?
Until, 30 September 2020, every privately rented home in Croydon required a licence. But not anymore. Now, only the mandatory licensing of houses in multiple occupation applies. So, a house or flat shared by occupied by five or more people who are not all members of one family or household and who share facilities (kitchen, bathroom and/or toilet) needs to be licensed, even if there is only one, shared tenancy agreement.
If you find that your landlord is not fully compliant with their licensing obligations, you can report them here.
Does Croydon Council run a non-profit letting agency for private renters?
Yes. In fact Croydon Council has a variety of schemes which play a role in the private rented sector. You can read more about them here
Is there a PRS forum where private renters can discuss ways to make private renting fairer?
There’s no council-backed forum for renters yet. Croydon Council has a Landlord Forum, though. If renters or renters’ representative groups wish to attend, we note their interest to the council via email. Email to get private renters’ voices heard in Croydon!
How many criminal landlords has Croydon council prosecuted?
Croydon council has not prosecuted a single landlord for illegal eviction or harassment in the last three years but did prosecute seven between 2011 and 2014
Who else should I talk to about making private renting fairer in Croydon?
Every council is divided between Councillors, who are elected politicians, and officers, who are appointed to do a particular job. If you live in Croydon, it should be helpful to talk to:
Alison Butler
Cabinet Member for Homes, Regeneration and Planning
t: 020 8760 5770
e:
It may also be a good idea to talk to the member of the shadow cabinet who deals with housing
Councillor Lynne Hale
Shadow cabinet Member for Housing
t: 020 8405 6721
e: