MP backs priced out London tenants as they demand rent controls

Politicians, pressure groups and London’s tenants are all calling for rent controls after it was revealed that the cost of renting a home in London are ‘unaffordable’ in all 32 of its boroughs.

Although spending more than 30% of your income on rent is deemed unaffordable, the latest ONS figures show that the average in London is 41.6%. Since 2016, that figure has ranged between 38.5% and 57%.

MP Luke Taylor (pictured), the Liberal Democrat’s London Spokesperson, has responded by telling Southwark News: “London used to be a city full of opportunities for everybody, but too many Londoners, from working families to young people, are being priced out as a result of eye-watering rental costs.

Wild West

“The rental market has turned into the Wild West, with renters facing exorbitant rent increases and being thrown out with little notice after successive governments have dragged their feet in bringing an end to no-fault evictions.

“Labour must now act quickly and tackle this problem at its root, which is supply. That is why we’re calling on the Government to build 150,000 social homes a year nationwide and get on with renters’ reform to ensure everyone is able to live in and enjoy our great city.”

And Jae Vail, a spokesperson for the London Renters Union, has said: ”London desperately needs rent control. Housing costs have been too high for too long. Rip-off rents are forcing ordinary people to cut back on food, heating, and other essentials.

For those of us who can no longer meet landlords’ extortionate demands, we are forced out of the communities that we have lived in for years or pushed into temporary accommodation.”

“For those of us who can no longer meet landlords’ extortionate demands, we are forced out of the communities that we have lived in for years or pushed into temporary accommodation.

“The Government must follow the lead of many European countries and introduce rent control and invest in council housing so that everyone has a secure place to call home. Rent control would bring down rents steadily and give renters more control over our lives.”

As reported in The Neg, Mayor Sadiq Khan has promised to set up ‘London Private Rent Commission’ and made rent one of his main election pledges, saying: “Renters are at the sharp end of the country’s housing crisis and need a Mayor who’s prepared to fight their corner.”

“I’ve been calling for the power to freeze rents in the Capital for years, but the Government has refused.”

The post MP backs priced out London tenants as they demand rent controls appeared first on The Negotiator.

Author: Gemma