Private Renters Project for Residents of Southwark

Citizens Advice Southwark, in partnership with Southwark Law Centre, are currently collating available information to develop a full-as-possible picture of the Private Rented Sector (PRS). The projects’ main aims are to gather and assess data to better understand the specific issues that renters face by renting privately in Southwark, especially those with protected characteristics or those who are vulnerable, and how issues associated with private renting in Southwark can be elevated in the near future.

The project was kick-started in March 2022 by reaching out to local organisations for support and collaboration. As part of the engagement strategy, the project has launched an online survey and is hosting free ‘Know Your Housing Rights’ sessions to provide informational support to private tenants in the borough. The project is due to set up a website for the tenants in PRS to provide guidance, information about common housing issues, and signposting help.

The project will draw to a close at the end of January 2023 and will develop a proposal for the creation of a permanent Southwark private renters support organisation to be set up from April 2023 which will be presented to Southwark Council.