Update from the Welfare & Liberation Officer: forming a tenants’ union
Tuesday 16-01-2018 - 09:29
Picture a student house and you’re probably imagining paper thin walls, mould creeping up the paintwork and broken appliances. 1.3 million privately rented properties in England fail the Government’s decent home standard (English Housing Survey), and only 15% of Durham students would recommend their accommodation to a friend or family member. I believe all students deserve access to quality private housing, and this is why we are setting up a tenants’ union.
College accommodation fees have continued to rise rapidly, allowing landlords within the city to push up the cost of their rents too. Not only is rent often unaffordable, but a lot of accommodation is extremely low quality. This has serious effects on the physical and mental health of tenants, with tenants in Durham – and across the country – often finding themselves vulnerable to unscrupulous landlords and subject to ‘no fault’ evictions.
We aim to create a powerful organisation that counters rising rents, disrepair, and rogue landlords. We want to mobilise successful campaigns, supporting and defending tenants in need, and lobbying politicians and the University to demand change.
The union is in its initial stages of formation: we aim to recruit more members so that we can make a bigger impact and create real change in Durham. You will find us at the Refreshers’ Fair on Wednesday 17 January, where we will be informing and recruiting students. You can also sign our petition demanding that the government require all homes to be fit for human habitation, forcing landlords to immediately act to meet the decent homes standard.
Email info@durhamsu.com to express an interest in the tenants' union.
Learn more about ACORN here.
