ACORN the Union flexing our muscles in the Houses of Parliament
Our union has been hard at work pushing the Renters Rights Bill through the UK parliament. Along with our partners in the Renters Reform Coalition (RRC), staff and members of ACORN have fought tirelessly to help bring about this once in a generation opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of the people living in the 4.7 million households in the Private Rented Sector.
The new Labour government just passed the bill in the house of Commons, and its now going to the Lords. All going well this should become law by the Summer. ACORN and the RRC can point to a number of successful inclusions in the bill, excitingly including the opportunity for a debate on rent controls and introducing a successful amendment to cap the amount of rent landlords can charge in advance. Over the course of the Bill’s journey through parliament, members from across England have met with several MPs to successfully lobby them to put in and support amendments. Our members have given speeches at parliamentary events and we were invited to give evidence at the Commons committee stage to shape the bill.
Among other policies this Bill will: outlaw Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, introduce open ended tenancies, stop landlords charging several months rent in advance, increase fines and enforcement action and introduce a mandatory landlord register.
You can see Labour MP John McDonnell, Independent MP for Islington Jeremy Corbyn and Green Party Leader Carla Denyer giving us a shout out in the House of Commons here and see an ACORN Policy Officer giving evidence in support of the bill here.