Ever since the Tories proposed banning letting agent fees, agents like Savills and the Association of Registered Letting Agents have been pouring time and money into making sure the ban never sees the light of day. Along with other companies, high-end letting Savills co-signed an open letter to government worrying that the consultation was becoming a ‘political … Continue reading
When Hannah moved home with her new baby, she had to borrow money to cover her rent and deposit. Then, just as she was preparing to move in, her letting agent explained that she’d need another to pay £240 in fees, ‘to cover the costs of administration.’ She had to go back to friends and … Continue reading
Renters across the UK fought and defeated Santander who until last month were demanding landlords charge maximum rent. Their mortgage contracts stated: “You will promptly take all steps which it is open to you to take under the lease to ensure that the review takes place and leads to the maximum increase in the rent … Continue reading
Today marked a victory for renters and housing activists as the government announced letting agents fees would be banned. This will make a real difference to the lives of renters. We can expect to pay a letting agent over £500 for “services” like printing, reference checks and immigration checks, most of which serve the landlord … Continue reading
Did you know these Hackney letting agents refuse to let to people on housing benefit? When we called 50 agents we found only ONE property available to people on benefits. The number of people claiming housing benefit has exploded as rents have become unaffordable. Many of these people– almost half a million – are working … Continue reading
We launched our #YesDSS campaign with a bang outside Hackney Town Hall. Around 80 people came along to tell local letting agents that we’ll no longer tolerate their naked discrimination of people on benefits. We heard from some amazing groups also fighting housing inequality that came to show solidarity with our campaign. We mystery shopped … Continue reading
In 2015, after living in her private rented flat for four years, Digs member Emma and her young son Bobby* received a Section 21 eviction notice in the post. As an assured shorthold tenant, the Section 21 meant that she could be evicted with only two months notice (after the notice had expired and the … Continue reading
This is the story of Emma and Bobby*, facing eviction despite doing nothing wrong: I am a renter in the PRS, private rented sector and this is the story of my experience. At the beginning of 2011 we moved into our flat, my little one was 16 months old and it was our first home. We tried living … Continue reading
Digs went down to London Fields on Saturday to chat with people about Hackney Council‘s moves[through a Public Space Protection Order] to criminalise the homeless. Everyone was clear that, even with rough sleeping removed, Linden’s Law is still #NotFineWithUs You can view the photos from the day here: Continue reading
Digs and Hackney Unites hosted a discussion on what changes private renters want to see in housing, and there were plenty to fill more than a few walls of paper! The event was kicked off by two experienced and fiercely committed activists: Heather Kennedy, founder of Digs, and Lisa MacKenzie, rebel ethnographer and LSE researcher. … Continue reading
