Manifesto
Posted: November 22nd, 2008 | Author: James | Filed under: Uncategorized |
In England, 18% of households are privately rented. A whole generation of young people have been excluded from property ownership by a massive speculative property bubble. Whilst property owners and tenants in social housing enjoy security and the support of government and the media, private tenants live a precarious, expensive life due to the Assured Shorthold Tenancy.

We will:

Campaign to modify ASTs to be fairer to tenants (e.g. by campaigning for a deposit from the landlord to be placed in escrow to be used by the bank if the landlord defaults on the mortgage, outlawing terms preventing children and other reasonable use, banning abuse of section 21).
Encourage the use of longer tenancies to provide long term security for tenants and landlords
Provide a counterpoint to the vested interests of property owners and lenders in the media
Work to create a database of landlords and letting agents to encourage and support good landlords and agents
Create a forum to help advise renters facing problems
Rental Rights is not in any way against landlords. In fact, we want to encourage good landlords as we believe renting can be a win for both parties. Recent trends, however, are not encouraging. Firstly, there was a massive increase in amateur borrow to let mortgages taken out speculatively in anticipation of capital gains. This sector of the market is likely to increase the precarity of tenants who currently receive none of the government intervention on their behalf enjoyed by owner occupiers. Secondly, there is a rise in forced landlords who believe the housing market will recover. If this doesn’t arise, will they be happy to carry on acting as landlords?

We believe by creating an organisation to supporter renters, we can improve the life of the tenant. If you agree with our aims, please sign up.

Rental Rights Manifesto [ http://rentalrights.org.uk/manifesto/ ]
04/16/09 at 11:30pm