Fresh from the news that Liz Truss would replace Boris Johnson as UK prime minister, members of the Renters’ Reform Coalition (RRC) held a reception in the House of Commons on 6 September. At the time, a new housing and levelling up secretary1Later announced as Simon Clarke. and ministerial team were yet to be announced, so the coalition’s event stepped in to fill a void – articulating the need to reform private renting and putting forward an agenda for change.

The RRC launched in 2021 with a mission to hold the government to account on its commitments to reform private renting in England. Funded by the Nationwide Foundation, the coalition is a broad mix of organisations. Established sector voices such as Shelter and Crisis sit alongside grassroots renters’ unions and advice centre representatives including Advice for Renters and the Law Centres Network.

Members and supporters of the RRC travelled from across the country to meet with MPs and peers at the reception, with many housing lawyers also in the room. LAG CEO and RRC chair Sue James compèred proceedings and gave a thoughtful speech drawn from her experiences of practising in housing law.

Guest political speaker was Conservative MP for Dover Natalie Elphicke, known for her expertise on housing issues. She spoke positively about the work of housing campaigners to get the government’s ear on renting issues. She also called for urgent action to combat spiralling rents during the cost of living crisis, with a persuasive, Conservative take on rent affordability measures.

Attendees also heard from Cambeul and Jaime, two renters from different parts of the country facing different but linked problems due to the insecurity and cost of private renting. Among the issues they covered were the difficulty of finding an affordable home as rents skyrocket, as well as the strain of facing a no-fault eviction. Both speakers did an excellent job of bringing the issues to life, and their testimony felt particularly apt in the light of cost of living debates.

Chris Curtis, head of political polling at Opinium, was also on hand to give a rundown of the political salience of rent reform among target voters.

The RRC will continue to campaign for the government to bring forward the long-awaited Renters’ Reform Bill. Get in touch if you would like to support its work.