50 signatures reached
To: Lewisham Council, and all other local London Councils
ROOM ROOM
I want Councils to enforce strict compliance for Landlords and estate agents to adhere to government guidelines when advertising rooms in properties.
"The minimum size in floor space of a SINGLE bedroom is 7.0 square metres or 75.35 square feet and the room must have a minimum width of 2.15 metres or 7 feet 1 inch. A DOUBLE bedroom (or twin) needs to be 11 square metres or 118.41 square feet with a minimum width of 2.55 metres or 8 feet 5 inches." 16 Sep 2014
Why is this important?
Some letting agents in London are greedy and deceitful, falsely advertising 'rooms' to rent that do not meet a governmental living standard that was outlined in 2014. Whilst it is the prerogative of landlords and agencies to dictate their prices, they are forcing up the rental market to beyond what is fair and reasonable to tenants by falsely advertising the space available, and lowering living standards, whilst pushing prices up.
This has to stop. People who prioritise living in a place they care about, are being marginalised into moving away or settling for poor living standards. This situation is the beginning of another greedy gentrification boom in housing, perpetuated by the same people who caused our 2008 financial crash.
There is a Government standard. It should be met by these companies. Lewisham council, and all London councils must impose these standards more strictly.
How it will be delivered
once we reach 20,000 signatures this will be presented to Lewisham council by the Community, and at 30,000 to the Government department for housing.
