Rent controls needed to combat mental health crisis among renters claims activist group

Rent controls needed to combat mental health crisis among renters claims activist group

8:52 AM, 23rd February 2024, About 2 months ago 15

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One in three renters claim housing is harming their mental health, according to new research.

Data by the London Renters Union (LDR) reveals that 63% of private renters feel depressed about paying their rent.

The activist group is calling for rent controls to bring down rents to take pressure off renters.

Landlords are cashing in

According to the survey, three in five private renters say that renting has had a negative impact on their financial security, including basic expenses.

One in two say it has also had a negative impact on their leisure spending. The activist group blamed landlords for “cashing in” on the rental crisis.

The group said on X, formerly Twitter: “Landlords are cashing in. Most buy-to-let mortgages are focusing on expanding their portfolios.

“Most mortgage-free landlords are hiking rents despite being unaffected by rising interest rates.

“It is becoming harder than ever to live a good life in the private rental system. With each year, rent eats further into the things that we need to feel secure and happy.

Roof over our heads

The London Renters Union (LDR) adds rent controls are the solution to tackle the rental crisis: “Our basic happiness is too high of a price to pay for something as fundamental as a roof over our heads.

“We need rent control now to bring down rents and take the pressure off millions trapped in this system.”

A rent cap which aimed to protect tenants from excessive rent increases in Scotland failed to prevent new rents from skyrocketing.

According to Citylets, a leading lettings portal, new rents have risen by double digits for the fifth quarter in a row, reaching an average of £1,097.


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Comments

GlanACC

10:07 AM, 23rd February 2024, About 2 months ago

Asolute cobblers, non payers are being coached in mental health issues to avoid paying the rent. Can't pay the rent then stay with your parents. Do they have mental health issues paying their council tax (which could be 1/3rd of thir rent), or mental health issues buying essentials (booze and vapes)

Barbaracus

11:41 AM, 23rd February 2024, About 2 months ago

I feel depressed about paying my mortgage. Mortgage controls please.

I feel depressed about paying for petrol.
Petrol controls please.

I feel depressed about paying for groceries.
Supermarket control please.

What a stupid survey.

Freda Blogs

11:48 AM, 23rd February 2024, About 2 months ago

"One in two say it has also had a negative impact on their leisure spending. The activist group blamed landlords for “cashing in” on the rental crisis."
If you don't like it, don't rent - buy your own place. Then see what an effect that has on your 'leisure spending'.
Tbh, I think this is Activist Group speak rather than actual tenant comments. I agree, its a nonsense (and alarmist) survey geared only at attacking landlords, again.

NewYorkie

12:14 PM, 23rd February 2024, About 2 months ago

Mental health... again! What they mean is they don't like paying rent because it means they can't spend as much on pleasure.

If you don't want to spend on rent, buy somewhere. If you can't afford to buy, it's not landlords' fault.

I spent 20 months trying to recover my property from a feckless tenant who created mayhem in the block during lockdown, and caused me to lose £20k. I had been very ill with covid, and struggled with long covid, which forced me to retire before I had planned, and the situation caused me so much stress, I just wanted to get rid of the property, whatever the cost. I even considered an offer by neighbours to 'invite him to vacate!' I had a real mental health issue!

TheMaluka

14:53 PM, 23rd February 2024, About 2 months ago

Nobody in authority ever talks about the mental health of Landlords caused by feckless tenants. Why not?

PH

17:57 PM, 23rd February 2024, About 2 months ago

Deary me , the wingers of modern day entitled society who want everything for nothing. My father worked all day until 6pm, got home for tea then 9pm went out driving coaches to take the minors down the pits . He got back in after midnight and was up at 7am to do it all over again in order to pay to have a roof over our heads. He did this for donkeys years and hardly ever went out (probably because he was too knackered).
Me and my wife would be like ships in the night for many years due to our work patterns. Why ?....to keep the roof over our heads ! We knuckled down and got on with it and now we owe nothing to anyone except the tax man .
To those who want to keep moaning about not having a social life well ...TOUGH !
Hard work pays off but life is not always a bed of roses !

GlanACC

20:28 PM, 23rd February 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by PH at 23/02/2024 - 17:57
I had to get up in the morning at ten o'clock at night, half an hour before I went to bed, drink a cup of sulphuric acid, work twenty-nine hours a day down mill, and pay mill owner for permission to come to work, and when we got home, our Dad and our Mother would kill us, and dance about on our graves singing "Hallelujah.".. MPython

Martin Roberts

21:14 PM, 23rd February 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 23/02/2024 - 20:28
You were lucky…

NewYorkie

23:12 PM, 23rd February 2024, About 2 months ago

I'd like to talk to you tonight about a minority group of people who have no mental or physical handicaps and, who, through no fault of their own, have never been deprived, and consequently are forced to live in conditions of extreme luxury. This often ignored minority, is very rarely brought to the attention of the general public. The average man in the street scarcely gives a second thought to these extremely well-off people. He, quite simply, fails to appreciate the pressures vast quantities of money just do not bring. Have you at home, ever had to cope with this problem?

GlanACC

8:53 AM, 24th February 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 23/02/2024 - 23:12
I was devastated when my Maserati was wriiten off (by an uninsured renter - true)

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