Rent repayment orders expanded to protect benefit tenants
4 months ago | 16 comments
New tenants’ housing union set to challenge landlords and government
9:38 AM, 31st December 2025, 4 months ago
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Campaigners are preparing to launch a national housing union next year, saying it will give social and private renters, and leaseholders, the strength to challenge poor conditions and rising rents.
Suzanne Muna, the secretary of the Social Housing Action Campaign (SHAC) said the aim is to create something that will ‘reshape the landscape’.
She believes tenants are being left to fend for themselves in unsafe and insecure accommodation while those with power look away.
Affordable rents an issue
Writing in the Big Issue, Ms Muna argues that government ministers ‘frame the crisis as one of supply alone, when it is in fact a crisis of affordability’.
She says many households are stuck in ‘insecure, unsuitable, dilapidated, overcrowded, accommodation’.
Campaigners accuse the government of being too close to large private developers and corporate social landlords.
She writes: “The developer’s goal is to maximise surpluses and profits, and their power is supreme.”
Ms Muna went on to warn that social housing providers are reportedly turning down poor applicants because they can’t afford the rent.
Tenants have no power
There’s also an issue with social landlords having permission to raise rents by CPI plus 1% for the next decade which will bring social rents closer to private market rents.
Ending Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions through the Renters’ Rights Act is ‘a very small step’, and leasehold reform ‘has faltered in the face of freeholder resistance’, she says.
She also fears that Awaab’s Law has failed to deliver the promised improvements and the law should cover private renters.
Decades of policy and funding choices have pushed the system backwards and Ms Muna adds: “Power has seeped away from tenants and residents because we have lacked a coordinated tenant and resident movement.”
Backed by unions
The housing union will offer support like a trade union, providing casework and neighbourhood organising, alongside national campaigning.
It intends to unite people, whether they rent from councils, housing associations or private landlords.
Rather than rely on landlords or politicians, SHAC plans to seek backing from the wider union movement.
The group says workplace unions have the resources and networks needed to build a national force for housing justice.
Tags:
Housing crisis UK, housing union, leaseholders, rent rises, SHAC campaign, social housing, Tenant rights, UK renters
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Member Since June 2019 - Comments: 776
9:59 AM, 31st December 2025, About 4 months ago
I still don’t understand how all of these anti landlord groups are funded, can we have some cash for a pro landlord group please?
Member Since October 2023 - Comments: 204
10:45 AM, 31st December 2025, About 4 months ago
“Ms Muna went on to warn that social housing providers are reportedly turning down poor applicants because THEY CANT AFFORD THE RENT”
Maybe her Union would like to make up the shortfall.
Member Since March 2018 - Comments: 182
12:57 PM, 31st December 2025, About 4 months ago
If developers and landlords are so wealthy and controlling the building and renting markets, how come so many are going bust and selling up? If accurate, this report is mind-blowing 😳 https://youtu.be/-0YTbjkpg5U?si=YzTHfXj80f9Dn1Iu
Member Since May 2017 - Comments: 763
2:23 PM, 31st December 2025, About 4 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Peter G at 31/12/2025 – 12:57
I too heard this report and wondered if its accurate. If it is, its devastating
Member Since May 2017 - Comments: 763
2:24 PM, 31st December 2025, About 4 months ago
Has Ms Muna heard of ‘Shelter’ (No One)?
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
4:46 PM, 31st December 2025, About 4 months ago
I welcome this union as they are even having a go at the social housing providers – who do you think are supposed to buy the affordable homes that are built. – except that they can’t buy them as the rents are too low and they can’t afford it.
Affordable housing on a new estate is a con as the developers merely make up their profits by hiking the prices of the other houses. Affordable houses are not funded by the council or government.- time to get rid of this consept.
At the last count there were 17,000 unsold affordable houses – clearly not affordable !
Member Since August 2023 - Comments: 71
9:39 PM, 31st December 2025, About 4 months ago
Background to SHAC:
The Unite Housing Workers Branch (LE/1111) strongly supports the Social Housing Action Campaign (SHAC) and played a key role in its formation.
SHAC link tenants, renters, and leaseholders to CHALLENGE LANDLORDS and provide a platform for shared experiences.
· Partnerships: They have strong ties with trade unions and receive support from organisations like the Public Interest Law Centre.
Member Since February 2023 - Comments: 22
8:12 AM, 1st January 2026, About 4 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Paul Essex at 31/12/2025 – 09:59
Who will benefit when many landlords exits the market
Who can able to give fight back
Why do we have lots of built to rent in market suddenly
It is all lobbied by same group. The target is not improving tenants. Landlord has a potential to give 15% returns if done correctly and potential business opportunity for big investors. Once monopoly comes let see how law changes
Member Since January 2023 - Comments: 36
11:53 AM, 1st January 2026, About 4 months ago
The sooner all landlords understand that whilst they are subsidising rents and rent arrears, repairing non accidental damage to properties, paying huge amounts in legal fees, stealth taxes etc, etc., the government is not going to change things in our favour. We are the golden goose!
Member Since January 2023 - Comments: 8
1:21 PM, 2nd January 2026, About 4 months ago
Yes I totally agree it is all about affordability, so are they proposing to limit how much tradesmen can charge. Will they limit the rise in materials that I have seen. Will they limit the rise in unnecessary licence costs I pay tothe local authority