Rent campaigners in London have accused Foxtons of unfairly pushing rents up to 35% above the market average.

The London Renters Union says its researchers analysed 30,000 properties listed on Rightmove and the results “paint a clear picture”.

Rents set by Foxtons are 35% more expensive than similar properties listed by other letting agents in Newham, and 24% more expensive in Croydon, the LRU says.

“Foxtons is using the cost of living crisis as an excuse to unfairly hike rents, and other estate agents will follow their lead,” the LRU says, which is calling for a rent freeze in the capital.

Rigged system

“Our rigged housing system gives big companies like Foxtons too much power over our lives, enabling them to increase rents as much as they want, and force us out of our homes when we can’t afford to line their pockets any further.”

The LRU says one of its members ‘Matt’ had to organise 30 viewings for incoming tenants while searching for a new home of his own, after he was pushed out by a £5000-plus annual increase.

Tenants demanding a rent freeze staged a protest outside six letting agents in London earlier this month (main picture).

Members of the LRU picketed the offices of Winkworths, Foxtons, and other agents in Hackney, Bow, Tottenham, Stratford, Crystal Palace and Willesden, forcing some of the agents to close for the day.

Foxtons declined to comment.