1st
Jan 2021
The Greater London Authority has formed a new pro-renter coalition with 18 other groups made up of activists, students and charities.
The group calls itself the Renters Reform Coalition and is demanding that the government must scrap Section 21 evictions in its Renters Reform Bill "and create a system within which renters feel empowered to stand up for their rights.”
Besides the GLA the activist coalition includes the usual suspects Shelter, Generation Rent, the National Union of Students, the London Renters Union and claims that a high proportion of renters are unable to afford a safe and secure home.
To back up their statement it describes how they see renters today, saying: “In the midst of a public health crisis, thousands of private renters faced mounting debt, eviction, harassment by their landlords, and unsafe homes which put their health at risk.”
It also claims that “350,000 households have had their landlord discuss eviction with them already.”
The coalition group demands that the government extends its current restrictions on evictions where bailiffs in most cases are not allowed to carry out evictions until after January 11th. The activists want the restrictions to be only lifted when the pandemic is over.
A spokeswoman for the group - Bridget Young of the Nationwide Foundation - says: “The government has pledged to end section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, and one year ago we welcomed its plans to reform private renting in the upcoming Renters’ Reform Bill.
“This bill is an opportunity to redesign our housing system, creating a fairer balance between renters and landlords. Implemented correctly, these reforms are also a chance to improve the safety, security and condition of privately rented homes.
“We are looking forward to working with the government and other partners, to take this opportunity to deliver a more just housing system. The Coalition is a broad group but we are united in our belief that everyone needs a safe, affordable and secure home, where they can live and flourish.”
News Archive »