Angry rent control activists have presented Housing Secretary Angela Rayner with a parody cheque as a protest against a fee she got from agents.
Rayner received £20,000 from the Propertymark trade body for her two hour appearance at the Propertymark One conference.
Now the London Renters Union has presented Rayner with a novelty £20,001 cheque in protest of what they call her “lobby fee”.
A statement from the group suggests they are particularly angry that she received the money at much the same time as she rejected calls for private sector rent controls.
The statement claims Propertymark “briefed and lobbied heavily against a rent freeze when it was reported that [former Chancellor] Rachel Reeves was considering the measure.”
The tenants’ group also claims that Rayner’s Renters Rights Act “does not protect tenants from sky-rocketing rents.”
Jae Vail, a spokesperson for the London Renters Union, says: “It’s a clear conflict of interest that the housing secretary is taking large sums from the property industry and then acting to protect the profits of landlords, developers, and estate agents.
“Rent controls are an effective cost of living measure that could save struggling renters £1000s a year.
“Rayner must listen to renters rather than carry out the bidding of rich lobbying groups.
“If this government really wants to make a break with ‘40 years of neoliberalism’ then it has to put a stop to the exploitative rent hikes pushing us out of our homes and communities.”
Last month Propertymark chief executive Nathan Emerson told Estates Agent Today: “Propertymark One is a self-funded annual conference, with all costs met through a combination of delegate ticket sales, sponsorship and exhibition income from industry suppliers.
“As the event has grown in popularity and scale, it has enabled us to attract high-profile speakers who can provide delegates with valuable insight, challenge thinking and share perspectives on issues shaping the wider business and economic landscape.
“Like many major conferences, speaker fees form part of the investment in delivering a high-quality programme for attendees.
“Our members and delegates expect to hear from influential voices who can offer expertise beyond the property sector, alongside industry specialists.
“In this instance, Angela has played a significant role in decisions affecting the property sector and bringing her to Propertymark One created an important opportunity for our members and the wider industry to hear directly from her, ask questions and hold her to account on the issues that matter to them.
“The event also provided a valuable opportunity to establish and strengthen a direct dialogue with Angela and her ministerial colleagues.
“With Angela now reinstated as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government within Andy Burnham’s administration, creating this closer channel of communication enables us to maintain constructive engagement with key decision-makers, represent the interests of our members, provide insight from those working across the sector, and contribute to discussions that help shape policy outcomes for the benefit of the property industry and the wider sector.”
