A CAMPAIGN encouraging tenants to prioritise essential spending before paying rent was launched today as new polling showed strong public support for people refusing to pay landlords during the coronavirus lockdown.

The London Renters’ Union’s (LRU) “Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay!” campaign website saw tenants pledge to withhold enough of their rent to meet other basic needs such as food.

More than 80 per cent of people agree that there are circumstances in which those who are struggling to make ends meet during the crisis should stop paying rent, a recent YouGov poll found.