A fairer deal for tenants in Bristol

Bristol is to become the first city in the UK to endorse an Ethical Lettings Charter.

Campaigners marched on City Hall on Tuesday evening calling for city councillors to support a charter supporting tenants rights.

The charter has been developed by community social justice organisation ACORN, which calls for lower costs and fees for renters, more secure tenancies, safer, healthier homes, and a more professional property market.
 

Jane McDowell has been a member of ACORN since it was set up in Bristol last year.

She said: “A lot of people’s perception of Bristol is that it is a really nice place to live which culturally it is, but there are lots of people living in really substandard conditions who are being charged a huge rents for them.

“In Easton 40% housing stock is private rental and a lot are rented out through letting agents. People have to pay extortionate fees as well as stumping up deposit and a months renting advance and it’s just becoming unaffordable…people are being priced out of their communities.”

 
More than 1700 renters in Bristol have supported ACORN’s campaign against rip-off tenancy fees and unhealthy, insecure rental conditions.

ACORN said 43,000 Bristolians are renting and paying the highest average tenancy fees in the country. Nationwide, insecure tenancies are the biggest cause of homelessness, while 1 in 3 renters live in damp homes.

Under the new charter landlords and letting agents in the city can become accredited to the scheme.

Assistant Mayor for Places Daniella Radice said: “We need to have landlords held to a higher standard, because a lot of landlords have a terrible standard of accommodation in Bristol. We are asking the council to promote this charter to all private landlords to make sure they sign up to it.”

The Charter has cross party support including Bristol West MP Stephen Williams, who said in his own constituency more than 40% of people live in the private rented accommodation – the second highest in the UK.

“I’m determined to root out the minority of rogue landlords that give it a bad name. ACORN’s charter has my full support – it is an innovative step that provides security for tenants by highlighting the best letting agencies and landlords.

Anna McMullen, local Green party candidate (Easton) said: “A lot of renters in Bristol are fed up with slum housing, we are fed up with letting fees which are really extortionate, and with poorly kept housing.”

She added that the charter will become “a kite mark” which will allow renters to “make the choice between really bad housing and landlords that are not upholding standards and the ones who are doing well.”

The charter has been endorsed by the UWE Student Union Council, housing association United Communities and youth charity 1625 Independent People.

Jane McDowell said: “Basically anyone who cares about human rights cares about our charter.”

The motion at Bristol City Council was unanimously passed by councillors and will go to scrutiny before becoming policy.

Read more about the rising levels of homelessness in Bristol.