Leaseholders already have the first right to buy their building’s freehold and Ms Pidgeon says private renters should enjoy similar rights to help minimise disruption to their lives should landlords want to sell.
The proposal is one of several measures aimed at protecting private renters put foward by Ms Pidgeon which will be debated at the party’s spring conference in York on March 11th.
Pidgeon is also calling for a mandatory licencing scheme for landlords, the scrapping of lettings fees for tenants and more Government support for councils to develop and manage private sector rented homes to ensure renters have the option of long term tenancies.
The mayoral hopeful said: “On the campaign trail in London the number one topic that voters raise with me is housing.
“Whether it is people priced out of the rental market, living in sub-standard accommodation or trying to get a foot on the housing ladder, every day I hear tales of people struggling to cope.”
“Along with my plan to build 200,000 new homes in London, including 50,000 new council homes by 2020, we are able to show that the Liberal Democrats have an affordable and deliverable plan to help renters.
“For far too long many people renting privately in London have had to cope with paying high rents for homes that often fall below a decent standard. It’s time to end this scandal.”
