How many of us are there?
In 2015, the Office for National Statistics found 90,700 private renters in the borough. The current figure is probably higher, considering how much the housing has deepened since then. So there should be enough private renters to campaign with!
If renting is so bad, why don’t private renters just buy a house?
Because in Westminster, the average home costs 22.78 times the average salary. This makes it the second most expensive and unaffordable borough in London.
Why can’t they get a council house then?
Because there are currently 4,453 households waiting for a council house in the borough.
Looks like we’re stuck in the private rented sector then. What’s it going to cost?
Monthly average rents for Westminster, recorded by the Valuation Office Agency, are below. Remember, these figures don’t include fuel or council tax bills:
Room in a shared house: £931
Studio flat: £1, 428
One bedroom flat: £1,950
Two-bedroom flat: £2,600
Three-bedroom flat: £3,878
House with four or more bedrooms: £6,283
That’s a lot. I guess that means a lot of private renters have to claim housing benefit to stay alive then?
Yes – 5,227 in Westminster 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 Westminster depends on which part of the borough you live in, the rates are:
Central London (e.g. Soho, Mayfair)
Shared Accommodation Rate: £609.35
One Bedroom Rate: £1,129.44
Two Bedrooms Rate: £1,310.10
Three Bedrooms Rate: £1,536
Four Bedrooms Rate: £1,807
Inner North London (e.g. St John’s Wood, Queen’s Park)
Shared Accommodation Rate: £436.62
One Bedroom Rate: £1,129.44
Two Bedrooms Rate: £1,310.10
Three Bedrooms Rate: £1,536
Four Bedrooms Rate: £1,807.09
Can I talk to someone at the council about problems with my private landlord?
If you have problems with your private landlord, contact Westminster’s Housing Options Service on 020 7641 1000 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm).
They can help you if your landlord wants to end your tenancy or lease. If your landlord claims you owe rent or wants to put your rent up your landlord and repairs and deposit problems.
Do private landlords in Westminster have to get a licence?
All councils have to licence Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs, or houses with at least three stories and five people), but it’s up to each council to decide whether to do it for other privately rented homes, too. Unfortunately, central government has come out against universal landlord licensing and now, any council wishing to licence more than 20% of landlords in the borough have to prove the case to Secretary of State, who can grant or refuse permission. Westminster council currently only licenses HMOs in accordance with statutory requirements.
Does Westminster Council run a forum where private renters can discuss ways of private renting fairer?
Not at the moment. Perhaps a campaigner should contact them to ask for one!
Westminster council say they enforce laws which protect Westminster residents. These include laws about unlawful harassment or eviction and landlord responsibilities.
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/assistance-private-tenants-and-leaseholders#rent
How many prosecutions has Westminster Council made against private landlords?
We are still waiting for an up to date figure from the council, but we do know that earlier this year the council was successful in prosecuting one of Britain’s worst landlords. She was given a Criminal Behaviour Order lasting 10 years for providing poor quality and unlicensed homes.
Every council is divided between Councillors, who are elected politicians, and non-political officers, who are appointed to do a particular job. In Westminster, this person might be useful to talk to:
Rachael Robathan
Cabinet Member for Housing
Bus. phone: 020 7641 5729
Email:
And her deputies:
Susie Burbridge
Bus. phone: 020 7641 3255
Email:
Andrew Smith
Bus. phone: 020 7641 3255
Email: