24 hours to go: Help make renting better

Lots of us know what it’s like to be under the thumb of a bad landlord, or have children and friends stuck in shocking rented properties. Now the government has put forward plans to improve renting, and we have 24 hours to make sure they follow through.

These plans would make sure all landlords do urgent repairs, proper safety checks, and are accountable if they illegally throw people out. Ultimately much more needs to be done, but this would be a good start.

The government’s consultation on their plans closes tomorrow. Together, 38 Degrees members have 24 hours to form a strong voice, standing up for renters against powerful landlords. If you’d like to write in, please click here.

There are lots of good landlords out there. But too many people are still stuck with bad landlords and dangerous properties. The homelessness charity Crisis found that many people are scared to report serious problems with their properties because they fear they might be evicted.

The government’s plans could be the first step towards bigger changes to renting in the UK. With house prices on the rise, fewer people see buying their own place as a realistic option. So it’s never been more important to make sure renting is a safe and secure option for everyone.

If you want to find out more about how bad private renting can be for vulnerable people read recent research by Crisis and Shelter here.