The National Renters Manifesto

Sem Moema AM moved, and Sakina Sheikh AM seconded the following motion:

“This Assembly welcomes the ‘National Renters Manifesto’ published by several organisations that represent and support private renters including Generation Rent. 

This Assembly affirms support for the required changes set out in the Manifesto which are based on 5 key areas of Security, Standards, Affordability, Fairer Private Renting and, Homes for People Not For Profit. 

This Assembly notes that 3 in 10 people in London live in the private rented sector but that conditions for renters remain difficult.  In the 12 months to June 2023 the sector saw a 5.3% rental price increase and nearly a fifth (18%) of privately rented homes in London fail to meet the national Decent Homes Standard. 

The Assembly notes that everyone deserves a secure, affordable, and decent home. 10 months on from the introduction of the Renters Reform Bill to Parliament in May 2023, legislation to protect and enhance renters' rights is yet to materialise. Urgent action is required to fix the broken renting system and improve the lives of London’s 2.7 million private renters. 

This Assembly calls on:  

• The Mayor to endorse the ‘National Renters Manifesto’ and to take steps within his powers to enact the policy commitments set out in the Manifesto. 
• The Mayor to reaffirm his call to the Government for devolved powers to enable necessary action to be taken in London regarding the management of rent and landlord licensing. 
• The Government to urgently progress the Renters Reform Bill and enact a ban on section 21 no-fault evictions.“

  Following debate and upon being put to the vote, the motion was agreed with 13 votes cast in favour and 5 against.