LONDON RENT STRIKE IS ON!
Join Rent Strike London now. Full statement below.
In light of recent events and the already catastrophic housing situation in London, we have decided to call a rent strike. The housing market has been stacked in favour of property owners and landlords for decades - with rents spiralling upwards far faster than wages - making housing unaffordable for many and an oppressive financial burden for the rest. The COVID-19 crisis - and the government's handling of it - has resulted in many more now being unable to pay their rent. People are being forced to choose between having enough money to buy food for the duration of the crisis and its aftermath and keeping up with their rent payments.
The government's so-called "complete ban on evictions" essentially just means that landlords will not be able to start possession proceedings against their tenants for a period of three months following the non-payment of rent, instead of the usual two. It offers no protection at all to those against whom possession proceedings have already been started, who continue to face eviction in the midst of a global pandemic. And when the government deems the crisis to be over, tenants will be expected to make up any missed payments on top of the already extortionate rents they pay to London's landlords.
The government's plan only defers the pain and offers no material benefit to renters in anything but the very short-term. For this reason, it is necessary for renters to join together and take united direct action to protect themselves and each other. If we fail to pay our rent as individuals, we will face the full force of the law and suffer the consequences alone. But if we act together as a network and collectively refuse to pay our rent - supporting each other against any reprisals - then we are strong, and can tackle this injustice.
Striking works: the last national non-payment strike was against the poll tax which contributed to its abolition and more recently in London students at Goldsmiths and UCL have won rent cuts and freezes by striking.
Our demands are simple: we demand that the government legislates for a complete suspension of rental payments on homes - with no rent to be paid by anyone until the COVID-19 crisis is over - and with no recourse for landlords to chase tenants for lost rent after the suspension ends. Furthermore, we demand that safe and comfortable rent-free homes are provided immediately for all those who do not currently have them. Housing will, essentially, be free during the crisis and no debts will be incurred during this time.
Housing is a right, not a commodity.
We ask as many people as are willing and able to to sign this letter: http://chng.it/dhppdTVG2q. If you are unable to pay your rent now, you will be stronger if you stand with others. If you are able to pay your rent now, will you be able to in three months' time? What sacrifices are you making in order to pay your rent? Even if rent is no issue for you, by striking you stand beside those who cannot pay and pledge to face this together.
Our strategy will revolve around an ethos of care, support, solidarity and mutual aid. For the next few months, evictions will not be on the cards for the majority of striking renters so we will spend this time building a network to defend ourselves when the "eviction ban" lifts, securing homes for those who don't already have them, and supporting those who are already facing eviction. We will not rely on the government to do the right thing and if it fails to meet our demands we will continue to strike.
By uniting, we can secure safe and comfortable homes for all, as it should be.
In solidarity,
Rent Strike London
***NOTE THAT THERE ARE RISKS TO A RENT STRIKE AND THAT YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE THAT KNOWS YOUR OWN SITUATION AND IF THESE ARE RISKS THAT YOU ARE WILLING AND ABLE TO TAKE***
- PETITION: https://www.change.org/p/all-london-landlords-covid-19-rent-strike-london
- TWITTER: https://twitter.com/rentstrikeLDN
- SOLIDARITY GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/530146277674135
- FB PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/rentstrikelondon
- FAQ: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xeuawLzeCM4CsWucPQlPIvy1z-qKwsvQqaVkI-ZKz4M/edit?usp=sharing
