Renters Rights London

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There’s good news, there’s better news, and there’s news about PM Boris Johnson

help for London renters

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

Consulting residents in Lewisham & Brent; will you help new knowledge creation? Campaign for a national landlord register

advice for London renters

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.

Better client money protection; guidance on Homes (Fitness For Human Habitation) Act and more…

New law states that letting agents must belong to a client money protection scheme. We’re meeting renters at Latin American House on Wednesday 3 April. Please tell all your renting friends, neighbours & co-workers with roots in Latin America to come along? Waltham Forest Council must re-apply for government permission to carry on property licensing. If you live there or nearby, please contribute to the consultation (link herein). And Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, would like to know what you think are the biggest issues in the private rented sector. There’s a link to that one, too.

Shared tenancies, struggling renters, a 5-minute survey, and news from The Foundling Museum

advice for London renters

Shared tenancies are popular with renters new to London, and those seeking flatmates who share a characteristic. But Renters’ Rights London receives more requests for help from people with joint tenancies than any other group. Flexible and zero hours work contracts bring their own problems; it’s very hard for many Londoners to calculate how much of their income will be spent on rent. We hope that you’ll participate in our survey on ‘Affordability’. It’s completely anonymous

If you’re living with the landlord; stop banks from discriminating against benefit recipients; Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018

renters rights london

If you’re seeking Seasonal good cheer, scroll straight to the end, for the latest news on Karen Buck’s excellent Private Members’ Bill. But after that, please show goodwill to all, by signing the government petition started by a landlord who understands our human right to housing. If you share your home with your landlord Renting… Read More »

Damp Nation; Ruinous Renting; Councils’ Powers; #ReinventYourRent

Back in September, we asked you to let us know of any ethical letting agents (because a renter had asked us). Disappointingly, not one person had anything to tell Renters’ Rights London in this regard. Since then, we’ve learnt of the Ethical Landlords’ Association. Based in Birmingham but with members nationwide, the Ethical Landlords’ Association is… Read More »

Electricity Bills & Energy Performance; Fitness for Human Habitation; Sub-Let Nightmare

An E Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating is the legal minimum for every new or renewed tenancy. That’s very low, though. As one renter found out, even a D rating can lead to big bills, if you’re not careful. Are you careful enough to check the landlord’s details against Land Registry records before renting? Most people would say ‘no’ but we’re in touch with a renter who now knows why this matters. The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Bill matters, too. And it’s now one step closer to passing into law.