Faced with 30-78% rent increases in January 2024, tenants at Elfin Square decided to get organised and fight back against their corporate landlord MCR.
In January 2024, the Scottish Government emergency rent cap of 3% was still in place, but this didn't stop Manchester based landlords MCR from trying to hike their tenants rent trough the roof.
From posting about the issue on Reddit, Joe realised he could join Living Rent and fight back. He came to a member defence meeting and told his fellow union members what had happened and asked for his branch's support in getting the block organised.
Members ready to knock doors in the block and speak to tenants about how to fight their rent hike
We knocked 125 doors, and met 50 tenants faced with rent increases of 30-78%, in a building riddled with repair and security issues. Tenants and homeowners in the block who were angry that their shared landlord and factor,were trying to wring them for money came together and unionised. They chapped each others doors, hosted block meetings and a social to plan their demands and support each other through negotiations with their landlord.
Members after their first meeting where they made their demands and plan for action
This resulted in much lower rent increases being re-noticed with the proper time frame once the rent cap was lifted. For example, Ikenna and Amrita's rent was decreased from 34% to 8% and Victor and Calin's from 67% to 7.1%.
On average, this saved each household £4793 per year. For 50 flats, this is £239,650 kept in tenants pockets! This also allowed families to remain in their home and not have to uproot to new areas or out of the city.
Members at their BBQ social getting ready to negotiate with MCR
