The chief executive of the Generation Rent activist group says he is terrified that his landlord will put up his rent “on a whim.”
Ben Twomey, writing in the Big Issue magazine this month, says: “ This cost-of-renting crisis has caused devastation amongst tenants. Analysis from Generation Rent found that not a single borough is affordable for London’s own bus drivers, care workers, cleaners, teaching assistants or receptionists.
“For those outside London, the punishingly high rents don’t get much easier to bear. Just 8.5% of privately rented homes are deemed affordable, with renters like me terrified of our landlords putting up the rent on a whim.”
Twomey uses mic of the article to argue against a statement by Labour’s housing minister, Matthew Pennycook, that the Renters Rights Bill – now going through Parliament at speed – does not concern itself about affordability.
Twomey writes: “If we are on low incomes, and our rents go up, are we expected to stretch ourselves thinner and thinner, until there’s nothing left?
“ … But the Renters’ Reform Coalition is pushing to amend the bill to put a limit on rent rises. There have also been rumours of the government introducing a national rental affordability commission in the future.
“What’s clear is it must address the cost-of-renting crisis with the urgency it deserves. We need action now.”
He suggests one way of controlling private rents would be to use Metro Mayors to limit rents.
“One approach would be to devolve rent regulation to metro mayors in areas where landlords are pricing people out of their communities. That would mean mayors would have the power to slam the brakes on unaffordable rent increases faced by tenants. This could help tenants stay in our homes for longer, with less pressure on our wallets.”
Twomey concludes: “The Renters’ Rights Bill has shown me that, when a range of organisations and people come together and campaign relentlessly on an issue, change will come. The end of section 21 and the greater security the bill gives tenants is a massive moment that has only strengthened my resolve to keep pushing.”