Hello from Southwark Private Renters’ Support Project!
Our August newsletter has exciting news of our upcoming Conference, an invitation to the next Cost of Living Roadshow, and an update on the Renters’ Rights Bill.
Private Renters Conference 2025
We’re excited to announce that the Private Renters Conference 2025 will take place on Wednesday 10 September, 14.00-17.00.
This year’s Conference invites public sector and VCS professionals working at the frontline of the housing crisis to come together to improve conditions in the private rented sector. We’ll be looking particularly at how local government is working on implementing renters’ reform, and how different sectors can better coordinate to support private tenants.
Cost of Living Roadshow
The next Cost of Living Roadshow will be at Kingswood Arts, Seely Drive, Kingswood Estate, SE21 8 QN on Thursday 21 August, 10.00-13.00.
The Roadshow will be attended by officers from Southwark Council Private Rented Sector Tenancy Relations Service, who can help private renters experiencing issues such as:
- Eviction or threat of eviction
- Harassment from your landlord
- Homeless applications and related issues.
Other services you can access at the Roadshow include:
- Southwark Council Financial Inclusion: For help if you’re struggling to pay your rent and need a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP).
- Department for Work and Pensions (DWP): For help if you’re having issues with your benefits, including with payment of the housing element of Universal Credit.
You don’t need to book an appointment, just turn up on the day to speak with these, and other services that can help you deal with the cost of living.
Renters' Rights Bill passes through Lords
The Renters’ Rights Bill completed its stages in the House of Lords on 21 July and is expected to become law later this year or in early 2026. Unfortunately, several amendments have been included by peers to weaken the Bill’s support for tenants, including changes such as:
- Reducing the period in which landlords cannot re-let a property after evicting someone from 12 months to 6 months
- Requiring an increased standard of proof of criminality for landlords breaking rules (e.g. against discrimination and bidding wars), helping them avoid fines and evade justice
- Expanding the student eviction ground to 1 and 2-bed flats, instead of only applying to HMOs
- Additional deposits for renters with pets.
It’s a vital time to express your opposition to these changes to your MP before the Bill returns to the Commons after the summer break. You can use the Renters Reform Coalition’s draft email to contact your MP and demand that the Bill upholds its aims to protect tenants and redress injustice in the private rented sector.
Thanks for reading our August 2025 newsletter!
If you want to provide feedback on this newsletter, or share your thoughts about our work, please get in touch by emailing privaterenters@citizensadvicesouthwark.org.uk!
