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TODAY'S OTHER NEWS

Ban rent rises and stop evictions during virus, activists demand

Activists with a record of opposing agents and landlords want a blanket ban on rent rises and evictions in the current virus crisis.

Acorn - which in the past has had its local groups picketing outside and inside agents’ offices - says government must “protect all tenants against the economic impact of an outbreak” of Coronavirus.

Acorn’s online petition to the government has won some 5,500 signatures and demands:

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- Enacting a temporary rent freezes for renters suffering with the virus or self isolating for the period of their self isolation and recovery;

- Announcing an emergency freeze on all current section 21 or section 8 evictions;

- Announce an emergency freeze on evictions of housing association and council tenants;

- A pledge that any period of time spent in self isolation or ill with Coronavirus will be disregarded in section 8 hearings and not counted in the ‘over 2 months of arrears’ threshold.

Acorn also threatens “to fight landlords that attempt to evict tenants for non-payment of rent as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.”

Acorn has for some time been taken an aggressive approach to its campaigning, especially towards agents.

LAT recently reported that Acorn protestors targeted a Lancaster agency alleging problems over a student tenancy - it appeared to have been the wrong firm according to local media reports.

A spokesman for the Mighty House agency told local media in Lancaster: “Acorn Communities have taken it upon themselves to protest against Mighty House. However, Mighty House is an estate agent and not involved in the letting of student houses and therefore the protest was levied against the wrong company ... They entered the Mighty House office and filmed two young female members of staff in an intimidating way, causing considerable upset, which resulted in the office being closed early.”

Acorn denied intimidatory behaviour.

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    Acorn has about as much grey matter as our politicians do.

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    • 16 March 2020 10:24 AM

    No chance.....If they are in a property of mine, they pay!
    Will the bank give me a holiday from mortgage payments?

    We all know the answer to that.

    The world is tough - Live with it.

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    Are Acorn going to pay the rent for the tenants being evicted? Are they going to clear the mess out of the properties left by said tenants?

    No. I didn't think so!

  • Barry X

    Well they would say and do that wouldn't they?! Any excuse to knock landlords and agents...

    Why don't they - for example - also campaign for no price rises in shops despite the "panic buying" and many retailers trying to exploit that by hiking prices for "essentials" like loo paper etc etc? But of course they're not landlords so as far as "Acorn" are concerned are not fair game and can do as they please!

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    • 16 March 2020 16:40 PM

    Why then can Landlords not have the same deal from people that they owe money to?
    And to get paid by the Government for the same periods?

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    If people are sick will they not be getting benefits frm government?

  • PossessionFriendUK PossessionFriend

    Shops are not going to give out Free Bread and Milk etc to people who are ill, anymore than Landlords can afford to give Free accommodation ! Mortgages still have to be paid, as does Council Tax Utilities etc
    Corona is an illness, For most, a ' Cold ' Nobody's ever been given " Free stuff " before just cos they had a cold, so why should it start now ? Talk about Over-reacting !

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    Acorn. A most suitable name. They are nuts

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