There were a few problems that it’s clear Londoners are no strangers to, including the most common complaint, damp and mould, with 24 posts (by our count):
#ventyourrent #londonrenting pic.twitter.com/vrJka2UFYo
— Amielia Godfrey (@AmieliaG2) April 29, 2016
There were 20 cases of dodgy plumbing and leaks:
Was once told ‘No, what smell?’ by an est. agent, who was then sick in his mouth because he’d opened it for too long to speak #ventyourrent
— Thom Brisco (@thombrisco) April 26, 2016
And 15 infestations:
the worst, though was the bedsit where the shared kitchen was so full of mice you had to bang a frying pan to get rid of them before cooking
— Owen Hatherley (@owenhatherley) April 29, 2016
We were pretty surprised by how many people (14) reported flimsy ceilings and other structural failings:
Weight of human faeces caved in floor bc loo wasn’t connected for 9yrs. Landlord saying i’m in arrears #VentYourRent pic.twitter.com/MfcgEKL2EA
— Scar (@_scarscarscar_) May 1, 2016
Renters have to deal with bullies…
bfs landlord lets himself in. when asked to knock nxt time he says ‘like this?’ & starts kicking and bashing door, does damage #rantyourrent
— Kate Harrison (@harrisonk) April 27, 2016
…idiots…
…and people who genuinely endanger their lives
2yr anniversary of being hospitalised due to landlord’s wiring. No smoke alarm. Evicted us & sold up. #ventyourrent pic.twitter.com/QlLHagvItV
— Seaneen Molloy-V (@ms_molly_vog) April 29, 2016
And if you aren’t bothered about other people’s woes, some landlords are ripping off everyone:
£530 in Walthamstow. Dodgy landlady raises rent & asks us to say ‘she’s out’ if someone comes round as she is DODGING TAXES. #ventyourrent
— Georgie Davies (@Georgiedavies12) May 5, 2016
Other problems included broken appliances going unfixed, no heating, no natural light, unprotected deposits, rip-off fees and unfair evictions.
For many of us, it’s the sheer cost of living in London that’s the biggest problem:
#ventyourrent at https://t.co/NIk4BAWdLU #rantyourrent @THRenters pic.twitter.com/6PwPeh00Db
— Generation Rent (@genrentuk) April 28, 2016
You know what’s the worst part of #ventyourrent for me? That I’m kinda jealous that some of you are paying “low” rents.
— Photini Vrikki (@iPhotini) April 26, 2016
Mouldy bedroom but ~£400 rent? Well, at least I’ll be able to buy and eat some real food #ventyourrent
— Photini Vrikki (@iPhotini) April 26, 2016
Even mayoral candidates vented:
Got home today to a letter saying my rent is going up again. Not good timing anytime except as a contribution to #ventyourrent @genrentuk
— Sian Berry (@sianberry) April 26, 2016
And for some, it’s already got too much.
Paid £725 pcm for half a Herne Hill flat which is £150 more than I now pay in Newcastle for my own 2 bed in the nicest area. #ventyourrent
— Dani O (@ohagandaaz) April 26, 2016
Obviously, bad renting experiences aren’t confined to London – we had people get in touch from all over the UK and we even got folk joining in from across the pond
#VentYourRent $1,500 Oakland, CA. Roof leaked, threatened with eviction, harassed daily at 6am and lied to by our landlord until we left.
— Rach (@CityLightsUF) May 13, 2016
The eventual election winner got in touch with his response to the campaign
#VentYourRent & #RantYourRent show how out of control the Tory Housing Crisis is.
I’ll stand up for renters. pic.twitter.com/o7nfg2QFn3
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) April 27, 2016
Many of the cases demonstrate the need for reform of the rental market, but it’s important that tenants understand what course of action they can take as things stand.
Whether it’s reporting landlords to the relevant authorities or naming and shaming them, we thought it would be a good idea to create a new page with all of that on. We’re calling it Help & Info. It’s a work in progress, but we hope it’s useful.
If you haven’t vented you rent yet, the hashtag and Tumblr are still taking submissions.
A selection of the coverage:
The Daily Mail The Independent Mashable Evening Standard Stylist Dazed Shortlist Huffington Post BBC News CityMetric Buzzfeed The Londonist The Metro The Observer The Sun
*Our awesome volunteers: Chris Bryant, Chris Gilson, David King, Jay Morton, Laura Sam, Rachel Smethers, Suzanne Thomas, Reuben Young
