Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has launched a £400,000 ‘enforcement fund’ to support renters ahead of the Renters’ Rights Bill going live on May 1 alongside a poll that suggests 75% of renters in the capital support rent controls.

The new money is to help renters defend their rights via advice and guidance on subjects such as how to rebuff rent rises or report agents and landlords who attempt to prompt rent auctions, for example.

Also, Khan has once again called for the Government to devolve rent controls, including a rent cap to local governments such as his.

But it is the ‘enforcement fund’ that will give letting agents most reason to worry, as the Mayor says he is to publish online tools and checkers which will enable Londoners to “hold their landlords and letting agents to account, and support boroughs to share intelligence about rogue landlords”.

It will also be used to support renters to “take dodgy landlords to tribunal to get up to 24 months of rent refunded, as well as holding social landlords to account”.

Alongside the new fund, the Mayor will launch a new campaign next month to ensure Londoners are aware of the changes, with online advertising and posters on the TfL network.

“We are seeing the biggest expansion of renters’ rights for a generation – this is a change that I have long called for and will transform the lives of London’s 2.7million renters,” says Khan.

Power rebalance

Ben Twomey, Chief Executive of Generation Rent, adds: “The Renters’ Rights Act is a major step forward in rebalancing the power between landlords and renters, giving us more security in our homes.

“Ahead of this new law coming into action, the Mayor’s funding of tenants’ organisations is most welcome to help make every renter aware of the new rights. With this funding, organisations can do more to support the law to reach into people’s homes and improve their lives.”

The Mayor’s announcement does not include commentary from any organisations representing landlords or letting agencies, but the British Property Federation has given it a lukewarm reception.

Jordan McCay, its Policy Officer, says: “Evidence from Scotland shows how interference in rent-setting reduces investment and shrinks housing supply, worsening affordability for tenants.

“Introduction of rent controls in England risks repeating these patterns, prompting private landlords to exit the sector and deterring new investment and delivery.”