Camden Federation of Private Tenants

18/08/2026

Posted by Baruch

Not a greedy landlord this time but a leading London university. Hawkridge House in West Kentish Town which was originally council housing, before being bought by UCL and repurposed for student accommodation. However, it has stood completely empty since 2020.

How can this make sense in a borough where most private accomodation is unaffordable, single people sleep on the streets and around 1,400 families are in emergency accomodation.

If you are a private renter in Haverstock or Primrose Hill experiencing problems e.g. repair, unfair rent rises, eviction or harrassment, call the Private Renters' Project on 020 3826 4785 for support. Alternatively you can email [email protected]

04/08/2026

Posted by Baruch

RENTERS RIGHTS ACT, ANTI DISCRIMINATION AND INSURANCE COMPANIES

Do you remember the No DSS requirement that used to accompany many ads for rental properites?

It is now illegal for landlords to discriminate against prospective tenants claiming benefits. However, not only are landlords allowed to carry out affordability checks but many insurance companies demand it.

It's not uncommon for prospective tenants to have to show that their income is two and a half times the value of their rent. How many benefit claimants, minimum wage workers or gig economy workers in Camden earn or receive two and a half times the cost of even the cheapest rooms?

It's like saying the Ritz Hotel doesn't discriminate against poor people, provided they have American Express.

As a landlord, missed rent payments are one of the biggest problems. Rent guarantee insurance for landlords provides financial protection when tenants default on their rent payments.

28/07/2026

Posted by Baruch

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/dec/28/squatting-rise-housing-crisis-uk-vacant-properties

CAN SQUATTING EVER BE JUSTIFIED?

In Camden, where rents are among the highest in the country and thousands of properties stand empty, is occupying an unused building a reasonable response to the housing crisis, or simply taking something that belongs to someone else?

I want to hear everyone’s views, whether you sympathise with squatters or think property owners should have an absolute right to decide what happens to their buildings. And if you have ever squatted, in Camden or elsewhere, what led you to do it and how do you view the experience now?

If you have trouble accessing the article click the following link https://archive.ph/Be1td

21/07/2026

Posted by Baruch

WHY CAN A PIMP RENT A HOME, BUT NOT A CARE WORKER?

Key workers like nurses, teachers and care workers are put through the humiliating ordeal of being asked to find a guarantor because their wages fail unrealistic affordability checks.

Having to aske someone to be your guarantor can be deeply uncomfortable.. The last thing most indepndent adults want is to have to ask someone else to guarantee their rent.

Meanwhile, criminals are fraudulently are renting homes and Airbnbs for prostitution and potentially human trafficking.

Landlords may be victims of fraud too. But something is wrong when people who look after us, teach our children and care for the vulnerable have to prove themselves twice over, while a pimp gets the keys.

Are tenant checks targeting the wrong people?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/ckg6zj89n3xo

‘My flat was turned into a brothel,’ landlord tells BBC Panorama
bbc.co.uk

A Panorama investigation uncovers how organised gangs are exploiting the UK's private rental market.

16/07/2026

Posted by Baruch

LANDLORD I 'M TOO HOT TO SLEEP!

Discussion question for today.

If the heating breaks in winter, we'd expect the landlord to fix it.

If a property has damp or mould, we'd expect the landlord to deal with it.

But what about overheating?

Should a landlord have any responsibility if a rented home becomes unbearably hot during a heatwave?

If so, what should that responsibility be and how far should it go? And what should be the tenant's responsibIlity?

Apartments and modern houses may present particular hot weather challenges – Landlords given guidance over extreme weather risks

16/07/2026

LANDLORD I 'M TOO HOT TO SLEEP!

Discussion question for today.

If the heating breaks in winter, we'd expect the landlord to fix it.

If a property has damp or mould, we'd expect the landlord to deal with it.

But what about overheating?

Should a landlord have any responsibility if a rented home becomes unbearably hot during a heatwave?

If so, what should that responsibility be and how far should it go? And what should be the tenant's responsibIlity?

https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2026/07/landlords-given-guidance-over-hot-weather-risks

Apartments and modern houses may present particular hot weather challenges – Landlords given guidance over extreme weather risks

30/06/2026

Posted by Baruch

DISCUSSION QUESTION FOR THE TODAY

Should landlords be allowed to advertise "No children" or "No benefits"?

The argument for:
Landlords carry the financial risk. Children may mean more wear and tear or noise. Tenants on benefits may be seen as a greater rent arrears risk. A landlord should be free to choose who they let their property to.

The argument against:
I suspect most people would be uncomfortable with a landlord advertising "No wheelchair users."

So where's the principle?

Why is it acceptable to exclude people because they have children or receive benefits, but not because they use a wheelchair?

Where you think the law should draw the line.

The Government intends to make ‘no DSS’ and ‘no kids’ requirements illegal in the private rented sector. This paper explains the issues behind these practices.

14/06/2026

Posted by Baruch

This isn't an isolated case. There are more than 1,500 long term empty properties in Camden while ordinary people are priced out of the rental market.

2-8A Rutland Gate had jewel-encrusted bathroom suites and gold wastepaper bins in its 45 rooms, but has lain empty for years. With many people desperate for secure housing, what does the abandonment of this palace tell us about the UK?

20/05/2026

If you're around during the day on Weds 27th May, why not pop in to this event that we're holding !

13/05/2026

If you're renting in Camden, and are aged between 18 and 35 years old, we'd love to hear how you've been finding it, and how we can improve our communications and services for renters.

Take the short survey here: https://forms.gle/svPpsSqHH74rjMcZ6