News from Sem Moema: Stronger protection for renters

The plight of the tenants of Somerford Grove in Hackney, who faced the threat of eviction last summer, in the midst of the pandemic, was highlighted by local London Assembly Member, Sem Moema AM, at last week’s Mayor’s Question Time (MQT). Ms Moema, who is also Labour’s London Assembly Housing Spokesperson, used her first MQT appearance to raise this local case as an example of the struggles renters are facing across the capital at the hands of unscrupulous landlords.

During the session, Ms Moema questioned the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, on the role councils can play in protecting the rights of tenants in the private rented sector.

In response, the Mayor said that councils do not currently have enough powers in this area and called for City Hall to be given the devolved authority from Central Government to implement rent controls in the capital and carry out greater oversight of the sector.

Last year, Hackney Council’s Private Sector Housing team stepped in to support tenants challenge their eviction from Somerford Grove.

This came after Somerfield Grove Renters group representing the residents of 170 flats, requested a 20% rent reduction through the lettings agency, Tower Quay, from the off-shore billionaire landlord, John Christodoulou. Some tenants were handed section 21 or ‘no-fault eviction’ notices. With these notices, a private landlord does not need to provide a reason for seeking the possession of a property.

In April 2019, the Government pledged to outlaw section 21 evictions after a consultation period, but more than two years on, this legislation has not yet been passed.

Alongside pushing this legislation through, Ms Moema is also calling for councils to be given more flexibility in introducing landlord licensing schemes and for Ministers to increase Local Housing Allowance so that it covers average rents.

The latest Government data, covering the period October to December 2020, shows that 340 London households were owed a homelessness prevention duty in this time, after being issued with a section 21 eviction notice.

A study carried out by CBRE has shown that as of January 2020, roughly 2.7 million Londoners, equivalent to 30% of the capital’s population, were living in the private rented sector. Ms Moema says that all renters in London are potentially at risk with section 21 notices remaining a legal option for landlords and the imminent end to the evictions ban.

In his exchange with Ms Moema, the Mayor also warned of a potential spike in Londoners being forced out of their homes when the moratorium on evictions comes to an end on 31^st May. He has previously urged the Government to set up a fund to clear the rent arrears of tenants who have been financially impacted by the pandemic.

Local London Assembly Member, Sem Moema AM, said:

“One of my key aims over the next three years is to highlight the struggles that many private rented sector tenants are routinely facing- whether it’s poor housing conditions, spiralling rent arrears or the threat of an unfair eviction.

“I was glad to use my first appearance at Mayor’s Question Time to hit the ground running on this and raise the plight of the Somerford Grove Renters, who have been so badly treated by their billionaire landlord.

“Thankfully, in this case, Hackney Council were able to step in and help.

But as the Mayor underlined in his answer, City Hall and local authorities need more powers to protect renters.

“Almost a third of all Londoners rent from private landlords and they are all at potential risk due to Government inaction. Ministers must stop dragging their heels when it comes to outlawing no-fault evictions and give more support to tenants who have been financially impacted by the pandemic, to help them clear the debts they owe to their landlords”.

ENDS