A prominent activist group and member of the self (en)’titled Renters Reform Coalition has boasted its pledge to  “train people across the country to resist evictions.”

The group responsible for the boast is no other than Acorn however there is little detail of how it intends to carry out its threat.

Acorn shouted their intentions after The Times claimed the government would break its pledge to abolish Section 21 eviction powers, however yesterday (Wednesday 12th October) Prime Minister Liz Truss stated she will be upholding the government’s promise to scrap Section 21 and will in no uncertain terms go ahead.

The Acorn statement said: “If the government won’t protect renters, we will! ACORN stands up for our members and communities, fighting back against poor quality of housing, bullying landlords and bad estate agents, and we will resist attempts to make anyone homeless this winter.

“Not only will we continue using our strength in numbers to resist evictions, but we will be running eviction resistance training up and down the country. If you sign this pledge, we'll let you know about training sessions near to you. Today, we’re asking you to take a pledge to keep people safe in their homes!” (Our emphasis).

The Renters Reform Coalition was set up two years ago includes Shelter, the National Union of Students, the London Renters Union and the office of London Mayor Sadiq Khan. The coalition is overseen by Generation Rent with Baroness Alicia Kennedy at the helm.

When the coalition was first set up a spokeswoman for the Nationwide Foundation which part funded the group, Bridget Young, said: “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.”

As previously reported earlier this year, Acorn was taken to court by a landlord which ruled that the group must pay over £100,000 to the plaintiff for its relentless campaign of defamation, harassment and breach of data rights.

The landlord’s defence called Acorn’s actions as “a campaign of harassment”  which included confronting and filming its ‘meetings’ with the landlord outside her home. The ‘mobs’ also threatened her in public using a loud hailer, held placards with defamatory statements, posted vile and abusive comments on social media, and held a  vitriolic ‘public meeting’ about her outside the Sheffield town hall.

Not content with their ‘efforts’ Acorn also posted leaflets through neighbours’ doors  calling her “dodgy”. However the original dispute between the landlord and her tenant (an Acorn member apparently) was for just over £300.

The landlord’s legal team, JMW Solicitors, told the court the activists’ campaign was for over four months and involved “noisy demonstrations involving scores of people as well as highly defamatory and incorrect posts on social media”.

At the start of court proceedings the Sheffield Star quoted the landlord as saying: “The last two years have been unbearable and frightening. I’m relieved and pleased the case has been resolved in my favour and now the harassment will stop. I also wanted to prevent this from happening to other business owners.”