Campaigning charity Shelter says it is setting a lettings sector ‘test’ for candidates vying to become the next Mayor of London.

“Early in the premiership of the next Mayor, private renting will become the single largest tenure in London. There will be more private renters than owners with mortgages for the first time in decades” claims Shelter spokesman Pete Jefferys.

He says the next Mayor must be “bold, credible and reforming” and argue to improve the lives of renters. 

As a result – and without, so far at least, presenting any policies of its own – Shelter is asking all Mayoral candidates to address what the charity calls a ‘test’, namely: “Will you take credible steps to help private renters, especially when it comes to affordability, security of tenure, access, and protection from bad conditions?”

The charity is also setting out two further tests, not specifically on the lettings sector. 

One is: “Will you produce a credible plan within your first 100 days to get London building 50,000 homes per year?” and the other is: “Will you use your budgets and planning powers to prioritise new homes that are affordable for Londoners on low and average incomes?”

Jefferys says that during the course of next year’s campaign, Shelter will produce proposals for “better renting”.