If people think a "Living Wage" makes sense, then what about a "Living Rent"?
The motion was ably moved by Branch Executive member, Peter Daley. The idea for the motion came from a local branch steward who privately rents.
"UNISON National Delegate Conference notes
1. Soaring
UK rent rises will leave almost six million private renters living in poverty
by 2040, according to recent research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF).
2. Rents
are growing more than wages, year in and
year out and are becoming more and more unaffordable. This has caused overcrowding, exploitation and
ill health.
3. It
has reached the point that working people cannot afford to live in many high
rent areas anymore with homelessness also on the increase.
4. We
are becoming economic slaves to a new master class of landlords who will evict
tenants who object to rent increases or if they complain about the state of
their property.
5. Huge
amounts of taxpayers’ money is wasted on housing benefit and little is invested
in building new homes.
6. That
in other countries such as Germany, Sweden, France and even America there is
legal controls on rents.
7. A
“living rent” is as much a basic human right as access to the National Health
Service: It is a basic human right
8. That
a truly affordable and sustainable “Living rents” cap for social and market
rents in different parts of the Country can be calculated as is already done
with the Living wage.
This National Delegate Conference calls upon the NEC to ensure
1. That
UNISON should campaign for a future government to begin a mass house building
programme of social homes at social rents (around 50% of the market rent). This will also bring about reductions in rent
in the private sector
2. That
there should be compulsory regulation in the private rented sector to give
tenants greater protection and security of tenure
3. That
rent controls are reintroduced and rents are capped at a “Living Rent” set by an
independent commission.
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