Labour councillors in Westminster have said the private rented sector in London has become ‘completely out of control’.
They are now calling for both the authority and central government to provide private tenants with protection from increasing rents, rogue landlords and letting agents.
In April 2012, Shelter reported that average private sector rents in Westminster had reached 56% of pay. In London as a whole rent makes up 41% of pay.
The council says that private rents are the third highest in London and the cost of a median two-bedroom flat is £624 per week.
The minority Labour group is calling for a landlord registration scheme, a London ‘living rent’, regulation of the private rented sector, and a private charter for tenants.
Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, leader of the Labour group, said: “The private rented sector is now completely out of control, with rents and charges increasing every month.
“There is a real danger that, with demand rising and the supply of new accommodation running dry, more and more people with decent jobs will be priced out of Westminster or forced to pay more and more of their wages on rent and agents’ charges just to get a roof over their heads.
“The continuing (and growing) shortage of genuinely affordable homes increases the opportunities for private landlords to exploit those needing accommodation.
“This is no way to run a capital city and will lead to misery for thousands, as well as damage London’s economy as many essential workers will simply be priced out of central London.”
Westminster Council is Tory dominated, with 48 seats at the 2010 elections being won by Conservatives and 12 by Labour.
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Comments
There will always be those that struggle to afford rents anywhere.
Rising rental values are a direct consequence of demand. And so there is no sinister force at play here trying to disrupt rents and that calls for intervention by Government. It's the market, pure and simple.
For the state to intervene in natural markets is a very slippery slope indeed.
More Shelter statistics quoted as gospel and Labout trying to "nationalise" private companies by the back door. Westminster is one of the poshest parts of London so rents will be higher. The same goes for Kensington and Chelsea.
Most ( I repeat, MOST) landlords respond to supply and demand and where a property is empty rents will go down. Where there are more tenants that property, rents will go up.
In the majority of towns and cities, the closer to the centre you live the higher the rent. Is that too simple a concept for politicians and Shelter to grasp?
As for the anagram of Dimoldenberg: Dim, Bold, Green - I love it. My congratulations to the poster!
Anagram of Dimoldenberg:
Dim, Bold, Green
Lawrence sadly is 100% correct.
This chap Dimoldenberg has been on LAT's radar before hasn't he about 4 or 5 months ago with another Westminster CC rant?
Go to any large successful conurbation any where in the world and you will find much the same situation. It is called competition for life resources.
The idea is that a person wanting to better their life moves to an area which offers them more in terms of whatever they want which is usually money, social betterment and so on. One of the best places in the world to do this is London and Westminster in particular.
The unfortunate reverse is that if you fail then you have to get out. If you change London so that the thrust for betterment is taken away then the success of the place will die.
This is horrible, brutal stuff but regulation never helps, it just stifles.
Is Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg a dynamic thruster wanting to better his life or has he just joined the local socialist talking shop and taken the easy way of living on the dreams of others?
Apologies for the last line but what he says is oh so familiar.
It may be worthwhile for the government to look at how they they can instigate the building of new property.
Like any market ,supply and demand will rule. the time the government can sit back and hope the PRS solves the countries housing issues is over.
I know a few mps have a couple of houses that are only used now and again....room share anyone?