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From The Socialist newspaper, 28 November 2018
The Tories' letting fee ban is full of holes - we need rent controls and council homes!
Houses, photo Chmee2/CC, photo Chmee2/CC (Click to enlarge)
Hannah Davis, Birmingham Central Socialist Party
The Tories have recently announced a bill to end letting agency fees, as well as capping deposits at a maximum of six weeks' rent.
While looking for a flat this year, I was stunned at a list from one agency quoting £497 for administration fees. This was excluding the deposit, first month's rent, and a 48-hour holding fee - which would have added over £1,000 to that total.
This is only one example of the money-grabbing reality of renting in Britain today, with 11.5 million people renting private homes in England alone. One in four households will be renting privately by the end of 2021, says estate agency Knight Frank.
The Tories' bill pledging to tackle these kinds of fees is a desperate attempt to claw back votes under the pretence of doing something about the housing crisis. This shows how vulnerable they are on this and other issues.
However, the bill fails to ensure the loss in fees is not passed on to tenants in other ways. For example, landlords and agents who only ask for a month's rent as deposit could raise this to the six-week maximum. And there is nothing to stop them raising rents in response, meaning even more unaffordable homes.
As well as this, the bill does nothing to stop the shocking fees landlords and letting agents can charge during tenancies and when you leave the property. For example, Shelter reports that some landlords have been charging £20 an hour for maintenance, and an anonymous letting agent says it's about £50 just to come out to the property!
The Socialist Party supports banning letting agency fees - but we mean all fees. This should be linked to compulsory landlord registration to ensure standards, and rent controls to end the landlords' and bankers' racket.
Nationalisation of building companies and land would allow us to build quality homes for all. But local councils can - and must - build council homes now. By using reserves and borrowing, they could start tackling the housing crisis and build a campaign to win the needed funds from central government.
Tories out! For affordable homes for all, and an end to privatisation of social housing and gentrification!
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In The Socialist 28 November 2018:
What we think
End Tory misery - general election now!
For a socialist alternative to the EU - mobilise to kick out the Tories!
International socialist news and analysis
Eyewitness: French protesters seize streets against President Macron
San Francisco Bay Area's toxic smoke crisis and capitalism's mismanagement
Workers at the forefront of the new wave of protests in Iran
News
Haringey 'Corbyn council': end the secrecy and confusion - lead a fight against the cuts
The Tories' letting fee ban is full of holes - we need rent controls and council homes!
Workplace
PCS Left Unity election: All votes should count
Cammell Laird shipbuilding workers strike against job cuts on merseyside
College lecturers in Wales strike against low pay and workload
Black Friday day of action against Amazon
Environment
We need system change to halt climate change
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Islwyn Labour Party calls for council no-cuts budget
Scrap the Tories' Universal Credit now!
Reclaim the Night marches condemn violence against women
King George A&E faces closure again
Southampton: Join the pledge to resist cuts
"Horrendous" - Bristol's privatised buses
Nat West's benefit-claimant eviction policy
Opinion
Wonderful socialist play finds Edwardian poverty not in past
End "poverty, ill health and despair":a benefits adviser speaks out against the cuts
Trump is capricious and dangerous - but is he really in charge?
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