A champion for those who rent

I wil fight for more help for Twickenham tenants with much faster responses when issues arise,

The main Council related issues for renters are:

• enforcing property standards

• illegal eviction and harassment

• addressing anti-social behaviour

• managing financial support

The Council Private Sector Housing Service is so important to ensuring a functioning rental sector that works for tennants.  It is currently based in Merton,  Not only will I aim to bring this service back to Richmond to be near our residents who need it, I will fight for faster response times when issues arise.  If that means resourses need to be allocated away from Lib Dem vanity projects and expensive public relations expenditure then all the better!

But there is also another side to rented accommodation in the borough, and that''s the woeful lack of social housing for those that need it most.

A recent case study was brought to my attention my the Conservative parliamentary candidate Jonathan Hulley.  Roger, a resident of St Margarets, was made homeless through no fault of his own.  Desperate, he approached both the Lib Dem council and Lib Dem MP but these efforts elicited no help.  So he turned to Jonathan.

His attention finally ensured the Council accepted they had a legal duty to find Roger temporary accommodation,  The offered him a bedsit in Ealing, nearly an hour away by bus or car.  This was not acceptable.

After applying further pressure on the Council, they relented and instead offered Roger temporary accommodation in Feltham, much closer to family and friends and his support network in St Margarets.  Following a further intervention on his behalf he was finally offered a new permanent home in the borough by the Guinness Partnership Housing Association.

People like Roger need champions just to secure their statutory rights.  But most of us are lucky enough not to know how poor Richmond's housing service is.

As Jonathan says "Roger's case is not unique.  In fact I am handling several housing related cases on behalf of residents who have attended my regular shadow MP surgeries."

We pay the 4th highest Council Tax in London.  We pay for and expect the Council will,  look after those in need.  As your Conservative Councillor, I will be their voice.