Announcement of the September 'RPI' inflation figure has sealed the rent rises that the majority of shared owners will be expected to pay. The RPI increase was confirmed by government as 12.6%, which translates into rent increases of 13.1% - 14.6%, depending on the formula used in the lease. Worst of Both Worlds Shared owners… Continue reading RPI Inflation Sets Shared Owner Rent Rises at around 14.6%
SHAC and partners are demanding that government holds social rents, shareholder rents, and service charges at current levels. Two protests were held outside the Department for Levelling up (14th September and 6th October) demanding a freeze on social rents and service charges, plus, a new eviction ban to stop those unable to pay from losing… Continue reading Freeze Rent & Service Charge Rises
One of the many things wrong with Prime Minister Boris Johnson's speech on housing was his analysis of the Universal Credit housing benefit element, and how much of this is being 'wasted'. SHAC agrees with the view that an unreasonable amount of taxpayer's money is being poorly used through housing benefit payments, but we strongly… Continue reading Boris – If You Want to reduce Housing Benefits, Cap Rents, Build Council Homes, and End the Service Charge Scandal!
Tenants and leaseholders are sending a message to their housing association landlords: 'Cut the Rents and End Rip-Off Service Charging'. The message comes as a survey by SHAC revealed almost one quarter of respondents could not afford the rent rises being inflicted on them from April 2022. Around 85% will experience negative financial impact. Tenants… Continue reading Cut The Rents ~ End Rip-Off Service Charging
Poor repairs are regularly highlighted to SHAC, with tenants and residents feeling helpless when they try to get their housing association landlords to address them. This week, a group of tenants have successfully compelled their local council, the London Borough of Lambeth, to take three housing associations to court for the condition of their properties.… Continue reading Lambeth Council Sues HA Landlords
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick trumpeted last Friday that he was “helping to protect the most vulnerable renters” by extending the eviction ban. To recap, the first, and reasonably comprehensive ban was initiated in March 2020, then extended periodically. This makes it sounds as though provisions were simply rolled forward, but the reality is far different.… Continue reading Eviction Ban Extension: A Safety Net of Gaping Holes
The number of people infected by Coronavirus is now matching the first peak in May 2020, with around 6,000 new cases per day. Several local lockdowns are in place and government is daily adding to restrictions in movement. Yet absent is any reinstatement of the eviction moratorium, nor sign of housing associations utilising their considerable… Continue reading G15: Time for Boards to Step Up!
by SHAC SHAC will be participating in the anti-evictions Twitter storm on Friday 18th September, an initiative by the South East Region Unite Community. If you know anyone with a twitter account please share this information too for a big twitter storm at 3pm on the day, let’s get trending: Three demands at 3pm No… Continue reading Let’s Get Tweeting!
Jack, a homelessness worker and housing campaigner turned out for the three day protests opposing the lifting of the evictions ban in August. He spoke on why the eviction ban must be extended. https://vimeo.com/458310816 Jack speaking on the terrible harm caused by homelessness Video by Platform Films SHAC Chair Niall Mulholland Opposes Government plans to… Continue reading I’ve Seen the Pain that Homelessness Causes
At the SHAC open meeting on Monday 14th September, activists highlighted the need to stand together in opposing evictions, shout out against the fire safety and cladding scandals, and organise to increase tenant and resident democracy. Maintain the Eviction Moratorium The eviction moratorium - which meant that courts could not process eviction applications - is due… Continue reading Tenants and Residents Speak: Evictions, Fire Safety, and Democracy
