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‘Housing horror’ demo at letting agents
Eighty protesters have staged mock ‘housing horror’ demonstrations outside letting agents in Redfield, calling for improved rights for tenants.
Organised by the Acorn group, the protesters dressed as vampires and gathered outside five letting agents on Church Road, to call for a new Ethical Lettings Charter.
The charter aims to include commitments by landlords to provide timely and quality repairs to properties, regular safety checks, three- to five-year fixed term tenancies where possible, to support people paying rent through social security, as well as ending letting agent fees.
is needed now More than ever
Two of the five agents closed their offices during the protest, while two others have already backed the campaign, which has gained the support of Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green Party politicians.
“With the threat of being evicted every six months and rip-off letting agent fees of up to £500 each time we move, many tenants where I live are tired of a housing system that always screws us over,” said Acorn member Jane McDowell.
“The Ethical Lettings Charter is a step towards quality, affordable, stable housing for everyone in the area. We want residents to have the choice to rent from agents who have committed to do the right thing.”
The results of a survey of more than 4,500 private renters, undertaken by YouGov on behalf of Shelter and British Gas, were published this month and underline the scale of residents’ fears.
One in 12 respondents across the South West said they were afraid to report disrepair because they feared being evicted. Under the terms of commonly used ’rolling’ contracts, landlords can serve two months’ notice on tenants at any time once an initial six- or 12-month agreement has come to an end – meaning they face both upheaval and a further round of agents’ fees to secure a new home.
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