Photo: Aitor Escauriaza
February 4th was Rent Freedom Day, held by housing campaign group Generation Rent. Roost covered a series of talks at Westminster debating current issues for renters. Read the liveblog of the talk on how to improve conditions in the private rented sector (PRS) here.
It’s Rent Freedom Day today and people are gathering from across the UK to listen to talks discussing the key issues at the heart of renting. The private rented sector has had its fair share of problems, but today Hannah Gousy and Sarah Macfadyen are here from homeless charity Crisis to explain how assured shorthold tenancy is now the leading cause of homelessness. Join Roost’s live blog for the latest updates here.
The big day has come: it’s time to put renting rights back on the agenda. Rent Freedom Day will see people across the UK gather at Westminster to debate an issue that is affecting an increasingly large part of the population Today, I listen to a debate about rent control, with the panel discussing if it really is the solution. Taking to the stage are: — Becky Ely, — Mark Littlewood, Institute of Economic Affairs Director General, — Alan Ward, Chair of the Residential Landlords Association — David Lammy, MP for Tottenham and Harringay (who replaces no-show Dianne Abbott) Follow my live blog to read a blow by blow account of the debate.
All in favour, say RENT!
Hello friends! Today is the day Roost will be covering the inaugural Rent Freedom Day, a programme of talks curated by our friends over at Generation Rent. Check back over the site throughout the day to see frequent updates, but i’ll be kicking things off by liveblogging the keynote address, delivered by everyone’s favourite babyfaced social warrior and arch polemicist Owen Jones. Just click the gorgeous portrait below to find the blog.
Owen Jones. Whimpering Tory just out of shot.
Fed up with headlines warning of the dire state of the property market? Roost certainly is.
If you are unable to make this talk on how to help solve the housing crisis in the William Sangster Room in Central Hall, Westminster on 4 February watch this space for a live blog from 11am on the day. Continue reading
Wednesday 4 February
Central Hall, Westminster
11.00am – 11.50am, William Sangster Room
Fed up with headlines warning of the dire state of property market prices?
The combination of an increasing demand and dwindling housing supply are driving up rental prices.
With greater supply comes lower prices for renters and buyers. This talk showcases the most innovative ideas to boost supply by gathering eminent speakers from all corners of the UK housing supply movement.
If you are unable to make the talk watch this space for a live blog of the event. Questions or comments: tweet me @thomascox500.
Speakers:
1. Stephen Hill, Director of C2O Future Planners
Future Planners is a long-term urban regeneration project founded by the Royal Institute for British Architects
2. Zoe Savoury, project officer at Community Land Trusts (CLT)
CLT is a volunteer-run organisation that builds housing for communities.
3. Matt Hutchinson, Director Spare Room
Spare Room helps people find a room to rent. For free.
4. Jon Fitzmaurice Director from Self-Help Housing
Self-Help uses empty properties to provide affordable housing.
Hullo! The Roost team will be liveblogging Generation Rent’s inaugural Rent Freedom Day on Wednesday 4 February at Westminster’s Central Hall.
The UK’s rental market is expensive, erratic and favours landlords over tenants. Rent Freedom Day is a vehicle for private renters and their allies to voice their opinions and show that they are “angry, organised and ready to evict any MP who doesn’t tackle the serious issues facing private renters today”.
The symposium will factor debates and talks by high-profile governmental speakers; workshops in instigating rental groups; tutorials in rental rights; a chance to lobby your MP; and a little bit of cerebral stand-up comedy from Josie Long and Andy Zaltzman.
Thomas will be covering Owen Jones’ opening keynote address. One of the UK’s brightest political commentators, the Guardian’s resident wunderkind columnist and a best selling author, Jones is a self-defined “4th generation socialist” and impassioned writer: a pitch-perfect and relevant voice to kick-start proceedings.
We’ll be liveblogging from 10am.
If you have any questions or comments then tweet me before or during the event on @gwynforhowells
Anyone who rents in the UK cannot ignore the astronomical prices people are now willing to throw away on, say, a shoebox flat in a rundown part of Wapping. And the worse part is..it’s self perpetuating beast – we may well moan about the unaffordable prices, but if we keep paying then landlords will keep charging.
It also doesn’t help that the government seem to be doing very little to ease this problem. There are now 10 million private renters in the UK — now is the time to act.
This is where Generation Rent come’s in. On 4th March 2015, the organisation is hosting Rent Freedom Day: “A day for ordinary private renters and their allies to hammer home the message to Westminster – that we are angry, organised and ready to evict any MP who doesn’t tackle the serious issues facing private renters today.”
It will be a seminal day for renters all over the UK to:
Join us at the Rent Freedom Day event or follow Roostmag’s live coverage, you can join in the debate by tweeting #generationrent .
Alex will be covering a talk on whether Rent Control is the solution. Join her from 11.50 GMT to hear minute by minute account of talks from from Diane Abbott, MP, and Becky Ely, who create the viral Rent Control petition with 38 Degrees, put the case for rent controls against Institute of Economic Affairs Director General, Mark Littlewood and Alan Ward, Chair of the Residential Landlords Association.
Tweet me at @Alexandraaa_cg in the lead up to the event with questions you want me to throw at the speakers
See you on 4 March !
Next Wednesday, three speakers from Crisis and E15 Mothers will be talking at ‘Rent Freedom Day’ about how the demand for homes and rising rent are now the leading cause of homelessness.
Roost 