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WRITE TO YOUR MP

Renters Rights Bill - rent controls

I am a renter in your constituency and a member of the London Renters Union.

Like many private renters, I’m deeply concerned about how rapidly rising rents are making life so much harder in our city and leading to homelessness and people being displaced from their community. Rents in London have gone up 11.6% in the past year, the highest ever annual increase, and by 29% since July 2021. Since 2020, asking rents in England and Wales have gone up more than 60% (RightMove). Rents are rising much faster than wages and too many of us are left without enough for essentials like energy bills, food and clothes.

On 14 January, the Renters Rights Bill will have its final reading in parliament. The Bill is a big step forward but I’m very concerned that landlords will still be able to raise the rents as high as they can. We'll still face the constant threat of being evicted by a rent rise.

I’m therefore writing to ask you to sign and vote in favour of the following amendments:

*   Amendment 9 tabled by Paula Barker which would see rent rises within a tenancy capped to the lower of wages or inflation.
*   Amendment 7 tabled by Carla Denyer, which would establish a Living Rent Commission with the power to set rent levels, taking into account factors such as the home’s property type, condition, size and local incomes.
*   Amendment NC12 tabled by Paul Davies on establishing a government body to investigate rent increases and rent controls.

Regulations on the amount of rent that landlords can charge already being introduced in Scotland and are common across Europe. Rent controls are widely supported by a broad spectrum of tenant unions, charities and trade unions. I urge you to speak up for renters and use your vote to end unaffordable rent rises.