A ROMFORD letting agency has repaid more than £5,000 of up-front rent and fees in a “significant win” after months of pressure from campaigners.

London Renters Union (LRU) member Mary, who receives housing benefit, was pressured by Advance Glenisters in east London to hand over six months of up-front rent, plus £570 of agency fees three days before seeing a tenancy agreement.

Mary decided not to move into the property after the threat of homelessness from a Section 21 no-fault eviction, which the government has announced will be scrapped, became clear, LRU said.

Campaigners regularly picketed the agency’s office, co-ordinated a phone blockade and held a large-scale demonstration last month.

Mary said she hopes her victory means that the agency will think twice about treating other people as they treated her.

She said: “Being on benefits, you’re made to feel like you’re not good enough, and that you’re not able to pay your rent. It’s so hard to find anywhere that will even rent to someone on housing benefit, and even when you do, they impose these conditions which put the flats out of reach.

“It’s this system that made me feel like I had to take the first flat that came along that accepted housing benefit, even though the conditions in the flat weren’t up to standard.”

The LRU said the win shows the success of organising collectively, making a strong political case and putting pressure on landlords and agents to respect tenants’ rights.

A LRU spokesperson said: “This case can’t be chalked up to one dodgy letting agent. It is symbolic of widespread problems in the current housing system.  

“Like thousands of others, Mary faced discrimination and unreasonable terms and conditions as somebody claiming housing benefit. Sky-high rents mean that often renters feel they have little choice but to accept conditions that nobody should have to put up with.

“We know the law is stacked in favour of landlords and agents. But this victory is proof that by building our collective power as renters and demanding better rights and greater dignity, we can start to transform the housing system.”