A new union for city tenants, initially focusing on the Portswood area, is being launched on Saturday (Dec 3).
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Tenants’ unions are on the increase around the UK as a way to enable renters to work together to protect their rights, get action from landlords and agents, and generally improve the experience of living spaces.
“People are getting trouble with their landlords and renting agents,” said organiser of the Southampton tenants’ union Phil Tyler, pictured left.
“People are being evicted, they’re getting repairs not done and their buildings being run down. Sometimes they get their place sold from under them to developers, and also getting their rents increased.
“And tenants don’t seem to have any control whatsoever.
“So what tenants need to do is get together and join an organisation.”
Primarily this would give advice and support, he explained. He stressed that there are good landlords and bad landlords, but the main advantage for members would be to be part of something that can put pressure on landlords or agents in the event of problems.
And while tenants’ unions are for all ages, Phil said he thinks they’re particularly useful for younger people, who by getting together often realise they can start to change things.
He said tenants’ unions, such as the London Renters’ Union and Acorn are very successful, with thousands of members, and the move towards tenants’ unions is fast becoming a movement.
But to date there’s been nothing like it in Hampshire.
All that seems about to change: the launch event is at October Books, 189 Portswood Road, SO17 2NF from 7pm on Saturday, December 3.