Tenants last night launched a campaign against Camden council’s proposed 8.1% rent rise.

The petition (download here) will be combined with lobbying councillors against use of fixed term tenancies, unAffordable up to 80% market rents, and cuts in Tenants Fed funding. Plans include a  public meeting, leaflets and letter to councillors.  Contact Camden Fed for copies of the petition and leaflets for your estate, street or community group.

The government faces a battle in the House of Lords today over its controversial benefits cap, with bishops joining peers – led by former Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown – in opposition to the plans that will push 100,000 children into poverty. In 2012, in Britain, under a  cabinet of millionaires.

This morning, the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) have exposed the six myths of work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith’s regressive reforms – see myths exposed here

Tenants are meeting to resist attacks on council housing and tenants in Camden.  A meeting on Mon 23 Jan 6.30pm at Camden Fed office, will discuss an 8.1% rent rise, threats of fixed term tenancies and up to 80% market rents, housing benefit cuts and a 36% cut in Camden Fed funding.

The meeting is convened by Camden Tenants Federation, and all are welcome.  See leaflet and poster for details and to publicise the meeting.  Contact office@camdenfed.org.uk for print copies.

A big tenant meeting at Camden Town Hall rejected a £7.40 average weekly rent rise, and a £2.40 increase in heating charges.

The well-attended joint meeting on 5th, of tenant-led District Management committees, said No to the 8.1% rent increase, which is well above inflation.  As well as rent and heating, Camden Council are proposing increases to service charges (+8%), parking (+5.6%), sheds (+£3) and more charges for caretaking services.

Camden Fed issued the following statement before the meeting:

We are alarmed at the proposed 8.1% (average £7.40) a week rent increase, combined with increases to service and other charges.

Many tenants cannot afford these rises given that wages are decreasing, benefits are being cut or held to a 5.6% increase, public sector pay is frozen and many pensions and other fixed incomes are falling.

We believe that these proposed rent increases should be opposed and call on Camden Council to consider and implement lower rent rises.

These should be combined with joint deputations of tenants and councillors, to the Mayor of London and to Government, to demand the promised funding to meet the council housing capital works backlog.  If Government can continue to write off Housing HRA debt for stock transfer then we should insist on a similar write-off of debts which have been paid many times over through rent and receipts siphoned off by government.

Cambridge tenants and councillors are also opposing high rent rises. Cambridge Council has written to the Government saying: ‘Cambridge City Council would strongly implore that CLG consider the application of an adjustment similar to that made in 2009, using a lower level of inflationary increase in the calculation of the guideline rent, resulting in a reduction in the level of debt that each local authority can support. This will also allow for a lower rent increase in April 2012 for social housing tenants in light of the current financial pressures, particularly on low earning working families.’

These Tenants associations are due to hold annual meetings in the next three months. Contact your local rep, or Camden Fed for more details. And get in touch if you want help organising a tenants group where you live, 020 7383 2227 office@camdenfed.org.uk
AGMs next 3 months

Bacton Low Rise TRA Gospel Oak (last AGM 04/01/2011)
Agar Grove Tenants Management Co-operative Ltd Camden Town (19/01/2011)
Dorney Residents Association Hampstead (24/01/2011)
Cressfield & Woodyard TRA Gospel Oak ( 31/01/2011)
Kilburn Vale Estate TRA Hampstead (01/02/2011)
Wendling Tenants & Residents Association Gospel Oak (09/02/2011)
Godwin & Crowndale TMC Camden Town (09/02/2011)
Regents Park Tenants Association< Camden Town (15/02/2011)
Palgrave House TRA Gospel Oak (18/02/2011)
Handel Mansions TRA Holborn (22/02/2011)
Mayford Tenants and Resident Ass Camden Town (25/02/2011)
Gamages Tenants & Residents Association Holborn (28/02/2011)
Langdon House TRA Holborn (04/03/2011)
Lamble Street & Barrington Close RA Gospel Oak (07/03/2011)
Blashford Tenants & Residents Association Hampstead (08/03/2011)
Mansfield Road Tenants & Residents Association Gospel Oak (08/03/2011)
Winston TA Holborn (15/03/2011)
Brunswick Tenants & Residents Association Holborn (21/03/2011)
Bray Tenants & Leaseholders Association Hampstead (21/03/2011)
Primrose Hill Court Tenants and Residents Assoc. Gospel Oak (21/03/2011)
Charlton Kings TA Kentish Town (22/03/2011)
Curnock Street TRA Camden Town (29/03/2011)
Camden Association of Street Properties Holborn, Hampstead, Kentish Town, Gospel Oak (30/03/2011)
Durdans House TRA Kentish Town (05/04/2011)
Gospel Oak 7&8 Tenants & Residents Association Gospel Oak ( 06/04/2011)
Una House TRA Kentish Town (08/04/2011)