More than 100 activists gathered in person and online on the 11th October to plan a national tenants and residents (housing) union. The event was organised by SHAC as the basis for forming an independent action group that can transform the vision into reality. Attendees included those leading local action on their estates, regional groups… Continue reading Conference Agrees to Build a Housing Union
By Arti Dillon My experience tells me that having people shipped off to expensive locations isn't new. As a teenager, we were placed in a hotel room in central London because we couldn't afford a rent deposit after cuts to benefits that would have previously provided rent deposits for low income families. Our new, temporary… Continue reading A Million Empty Homes and a Housing Shortage
When the new round of service charge demands began to take effect at the start of April, SHAC found itself supporting a host of new tenant and resident groups embarking on service charge strikes. Tenants and residents are often presented as being helpless in the face of superior landlord power, with their bottomless resources, ready… Continue reading Tenants and Residents Turn to Radical Action
The Regulator of Social Housing has reported that service charge income for housing associations soared by 15.8% to ยฃ1.9 billion in the year to March 2024. Also in 2024, service charge disputes brought to the First Tier Tribunal concurred that tenants and residents had been overcharged in over 70% of cases. Taken together, these figures… Continue reading Tribunals Research Finds Overcharging in 70% of Cases as HA Service Charge Income Soars
The new Labour government has tied its colours firmly to the landlord mast with a declaration that social landlords (both housing associations and councils) will be allowed to raise rents above-inflation for the next decade. It is a guarantee to housing associations that no matter what happens in the economy, they will enjoy an inflation-busting… Continue reading Labour’s Ten Year Rent Robbery Pledge
As major announcements go, this year's statement on the social rent cap (SRC) has to be one of the quietest in history. A page on the Regulator of Social Housing's website confirms government's return to the social rent cap formula. Unlike last year, there was no fanfare heralding its arrival. It means that the majority… Continue reading Social and Other Housing Assocation Rents to Rise by 7.7% in April
A coalition of housing campaigners protested the Affordable Housing Awards on Friday 17th November. The event was held at the prestigious Old Trafford grounds in Manchester. The awards are presented annually to councils, housing associations, and their partners at an event organised by Inside Housing magazine and Reach PLC. Tenants and residents expressed their anger… Continue reading Protestors’ Anger at ‘Affordable’ Housing Awards
A coalition of housing campaigners will be protesting the Affordable Housing Awards which take place from mid-day on Friday 17th November. The event is being held at the prestigious Old Trafford grounds in Manchester. The awards are presented annually to councils, housing associations, and their partners at an event organised by Inside Housing magazine and… Continue reading Protestors Target Housing Awards
Unfair rent rises and uncapped service charges are causing financial distress for housing association tenants and residents up and down the country. We're making a stand. The Unfair and Uncapped campaign has launched to amplify the voices of those already struggling in the cost-of-living crisis. We believe that government should freeze housing association rents and… Continue reading Five Reasons to Freeze Rents, Cap Service Charges
More than 400 tenants and residents have pledged to support rent and service charge strikes in protest at rent increases and extortionate service charge rises, which will coincide with further hikes in energy bills. The pledges were made by tenants and residents actively resisting sharp rises in housing costs which are threatening the affordability of… Continue reading Rent & Service Charge Strike Pledges Grow
