Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate Caroline Pidgeon says she would encourage landlords to offer longer tenancies if elected in May.
Ms Pidgeon used a visit to a site being developed by affordable housing developer Pocket Living to announce a raft of policies aimed at helping the estimated one quarter of Londoners who rent privately.
By promoting the use of longer tenancies, which could last up to 5 years instead of the current 6 months, Pidgeon would hope to provide renters with both stability and protection from rent hikes.
The LibDem hopeful has also pledged to build 200,000 new homes to increase supply and “push down” rents.
Last month she outlined proposals to give tenants first refusal on buying their home should the landlord decide to sell it during their tenancy.
She is also calling for a mandatory licensing scheme for landlords, the scrapping of lettings fees for tenants and more support for Boroughs to enforce housing standards.
Ms Pidgeon said: “I want to see all landlords with property in London registered. Landlords who fall short of decent standards mean renters living in sometimes appalling conditions, with severe health problems and fuel poverty prevalent among this group. I’m not prepared to see this continue.
“By making sure rogue landlords are prosecuted, enforcing housing standards and promoting longer tenancies of 3 to 5 years to give tenants security we can make an real impact on improving the lives of people who choose to rent.”
Londoners will elect a new Mayor and the 25 members of the London Assembly on May 5th.
