‘Dear Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP, We are writing to urge the government to immediately enact robust policies that tackle the rental affordability emergency. The government has the power and the responsibility to control high rents and stop millions of households being pushed into poverty and homelessness...’
So begins a strongly worded open letter by the London Renters Union, along with trade unions, think tanks and other renters organisations. It comes at a time when stresses upon people who are struggling to make ends meet are about to be challenged further by the demands of winter.
With the energy price cap rising this month, and winter fuel payments being cut for certain people, renters in particular are coming under pressure.
‘Average UK rents are rising faster than wages and inflation ; says the letter, ‘Yet, these increases are not simply a result of high inflation and rising demand. Many landlords and letting agents have used the cost of living crisis as an excuse to push up rents, even though around 2 in 5 landlords do not have a mortgage. Two thirds of these mortgage-free landlords increased the price of new rental agreements during 2023, even though they were unaffected by rising interest rates.
RightMove reports show that the average asking rent outside of London has risen 61% since the start of 2020, rising the fastest in more deprived areas. Renting in London is now totally impossible for a range of key workers, with average rents in inner London equivalent to 106% of a teaching assistant’s salary. The UK is one of the few countries in Europe without any kind of limits on rent increases, resulting in families and workers being plunged into debt, poverty and homelessness.’The letter ends with three proposals:
- Devolve powers to Metro Mayors and regional authorities to introduce rent caps that start to reduce rent levels to more affordable levels safely over time.
- Invest in a mass expansion of public housing so that millions more people can access affordable, secure and accessible social homes they deserve.
- Resource councils across the country to buy up homes that private landlords want to sell to convert them into much needed social housing.
In a week where Kevin McCloud has called for a total revamp of the property model, this further adds to calls to make housing a priority in the upcoming Budget.
Elyen Chej, Spokesperson for the London Renters Union, said: “Rents are out of control. Year after year, tenants have been subjected to relentless renthikes, leaving millions struggling to afford even the basics. Working-class families are being pushed out of neighbourhoods they've called home for years,while homelessness grows. We cannot rely solely on private house building to undo the damage done by years of skyrocketing rents. The government must take immediate action to slam the brakes on rising rents so that everyone in this country has a secure place to call home.”
