Thousands of tenants marched through central London at the weekend to demand the introduction of rent controls and more investment in council homes.

London Renters Union reckons about 5,000 people from across the country descended on the capital as part of the National Housing Demonstration which included 90 trade unions and grassroots groups such as the Green Party, London Renters Union, Action on Empty Homes, the Fire Brigades Union and Generation Rent. It believes this represented the largest protest for affordable housing in more than a decade.

Speeches were given outside Blackstone's offices, one of the world’s largest commercial landlords, where a large landlord-shaped pinata was ceremonially destroyed.

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London Renters Union says despite the Renters’ Rights Act, the government still plans to hand more powers to private developers which will only create higher rents for local residents.

While the government fails renters, the far-right has weaponised the housing crisis, according to the group which believes migrants are on the receiving end of a cynical campaign of disinformation that tries to convince the public that British nationals are being de-prioritised in housing allocation.

Tenants need an alternative to the “rigged” housing system, adds spokesperson Jae Vail. “Soaring rents are pushing us into poverty and out of our neighbourhoods while corporate giants build luxury flats we can’t afford. Keir Starmer’s government is making the housing crisis worse, cosying up to private developers and selling out our communities. That’s why we took to the streets in our thousands – it’s time for the government to put renters before their super-rich mates.”

Photos: Anita Waithira Israel

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