Renters’ Rights London is well pleased to be one of 19 organizations founding the Renters Reform Coalition. The coalition is very new and still working on the fine points of our campaign. But we all agree that everyone deserves a safe, affordable and secure place to call home. Working together with government and others, we aim to achieve that.
Since 20 September, landlords have been allowed to initiate ‘no fault’ eviction proceedings again. Even if the section 21 notice is valid (and it might not be) you are very probably entitled to a longer notice period this Winter. Read on for more information about that. And there’s a link to the Mayor of London’s Property Licence Checker
You have new rights in relation to electrical safety so there’s all you need to know about EICR checks. As the stay on evictions looks set to end on 23 August, there’s information about your choices if you receive a section 21 notice. There’s a survey for lodgers and a petition from Operation Wifi, too
You can still contact us via this website, or by leaving a voicemail message on the office number while we’re self-isolating. All messages are accessible remotely within minutes and we’ll answer you as soon as possible. Most recent emails and phone calls have come from renters whose living situation has been affected by the London lockdown. So read on for info about the ‘complete ban on evictions’ and claiming housing benefit
The high cost of housing means that many more Londoners now live in shared flats or houses than was the case 20 years ago. Aside from affordability, there can be many advantages to sharing a home, especially if you get on well with your housemates. But when you’re living with strangers, it’s not always easy to feel safe.
The expertise you have gained through your experience of renting in London is in high demand now. Citizens Advice, Toynbee Hall and Camden Council are all keen to hear from you. We know, from the imminent success of the campaign to #EndSection21 evictions that together, we can win. So please do help furnish the evidence needed to keep making the strongest possible case for the changes we all need?
All the main parties have made manifesto pledges for renters, as part of their stated ambitions to address the deepening housing emergency. Whichever Party wins power on 12 December, renters must hold them to the promises they’ve made.
Now that we all know what ‘prorogation’ means, can we please take a moment to think about ‘disenfranchisement’? If your name is not on the electoral roll, you have disenfranchised yourself. But don’t worry; there’s a link to register to vote in here. There’s information about what to do if you need to end a fixed term tenancy early, as well. And if you live in Islington, the council is seeking your opinion of property licensing.
Things are really hotting up! Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, launched his blueprint for reform of the private rented sector on Friday, 19 July. We worked on the blueprint so hope you’ll agree that it’s good. Then, on Sunday 21 July, Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) launched the long-awaited consultation into what should replace Section 21 (‘no fault’ evictions). These brilliant events almost overshadowed news of another MHCLG consultation, into widening access to the government’s ‘Rogue Landlord Database’. There are links to all of those in here
The best news is that Renters’ Rights London has successfully secured continuation funding from Nationwide Foundation. This means that we can continue our work; helping renters to speak up for their rights, making sure that politicians, officers, and landlords attend to renters’ real needs. Good news, too, from Brent and from Lewisham. Both councils aim to expand local property licensing regimes, so that decent standards of accommodation are more widely met. To achieve the same ambition nationwide, Generation Rent are campaigning for a national landlords’ register—there’s a link to the petition within.
