Calling all renters in Hackney!

Feb 12, 2015 11:25 AM

Do you rent from a private landlord in Hackney? If so, this blog post is for you! Hackney Council are currently conducting a consultation into the private rented sector in Hackney, reviewing their offer of services for tenants and landlords. As part of this, the council is considering whether a discretionary licensing scheme might be introduced.

Before making any formal proposals however, the Council wants to hear from key stakeholders - especially renters! It has engaged a housing consultancy to help with the process who are looking to hold informal focus groups with Hackney private renters. If you want to have the opportunity to have your say on the private rented sector then this is it! It is a chance to make a real change to the way the Council operates in the borough and put forward the need for better local authority policy for renters - please do attend if you can!!

Focus groups are taking place on Wednesday 18 February at the Town Hall, Mare Street, Hackney. An afternoon session will be from 3.30pm until 5.00pm and then we will hold a second session in the evening, from 6.30pm until 8.00pm. Tea and coffee will be available from 3.00pm and 6.00pm, and the sessions will start promptly. 

The focus groups will have around 12 people on them so you can get your views across but you need to book a place! If you would like to get involved and change the face of private renting in Hackney then please email [email protected] or ring 01904 557159. Be sure to state your preference for the afternoon or the evening session and give your name, your postcode (they don't need your full address) and a contact telephone number

There is also a private rented sector survey now available on the Hackney Council website, see https://consultation.hackney.gov.uk/housing-strategy-policy/prs-tenants-2014 It's for renters, landlords and other Hackney residents or businesses with an interest. Please go online to complete it yourself and do encourage others to do the same.

If you have any further questions about consultation or would like to talk about private renting in Hackney before the focus groups, then please get in touch