• WE have been trying to raise awareness of the impact that Airbnb style short-term lets is having on the supply of properties available in Camden’s Private Rented Sector for a while now, so it’s very interesting to see that it’s also become a factor in the falling pupil numbers at the borough’s primary schools, (High housing costs and falling birth rate leads to falling rolls at Camden’s schools, March 28).

The research findings also reflect the increasing number of conversations we are now having with people with children who tell us that Camden is no longer an affordable place for them to rent, especially if they are claiming Housing Benefit.

Also, we used to just talk about “tenants” but now a new term, “renters” is being increasingly used that reflects a move towards more people renting with licences such as lodgers and from property guardian companies, coupled with those who have no kind of written agreement at all; and, as previously mentioned, those living under holiday let arrangements.

While we would argue that ASTs (assured shorthold tenancies) provide little security of tenure and protection from what is called “revenge eviction”, people with licences have even less protection and are completely at the mercy of their landlords.

To fully understand why there is so much dissatisfaction currently being expressed about the PRS we have to look at it as an issue of “who holds the power” as much as a housing one.

And despite what our landlord and agent friends say, it’s definitely not the tenants or renters. That is why along with our Renters’ Rights London project, and councillors Pat Callaghan and Meric Apak, we are shortly due to meet representatives of other London local authorities to discuss the PRS, and how they might begin to come together with each other to lobby and campaign for much-needed change.

Finally it’s vital that both tenants and renters join an organisation like ours to make sure their voices are clearly heard by Camden Council, City Hall and the government.

ROBERT TAYLOR
Organiser, Camden Federation of Private Tenants