JP & Shamme’s Story - Fighting for Safe Housing: A Story of Collective Action

Throughout the harsh winter of 2023, members of our community faced unimaginable living conditions. The walls of their homes were soaked with damp, black mould spread across surfaces, and their mental health deteriorated, causing them to lose half their income. These conditions were not an isolated incident but part of a larger systemic failure. The letting agent, Hunters Newcastle and landlord Paul Kohli, who owns multiple properties and businesses in the area, neglected their responsibilities, allowing the property to become uninhabitable.

On February 10, 2023, we took our first step in demanding justice. Our members marched to Hunters Newcastle, calling attention to the ongoing disrepair that had plagued their homes all winter. Despite freezing temperatures outside, it was raining inside their flat, with saturated walls and mould everywhere. This protest was the beginning of a larger campaign to hold those responsible accountable and to fight for the right to safe, liveable housing.

The cost of living crisis, combined with rising energy costs, only exacerbated the situation. Yet, as landlords ignored their duties, our members faced health and financial repercussions. We believe that safe housing is a human right and that those affected deserve compensation for the distress and hardship they've endured. (Read more about our work with the cost of living crisis here)

Our fight didn't stop with the initial march. On March 1, 2023, we picketed outside Hunters, distributing hundreds of leaflets describing the severe disrepair suffered by our members. The community's response was overwhelming—many passers-by showed great interest in the case. We also took the opportunity to distribute information about our solidarity parcels, prioritizing striking workers. The message was clear: we weren’t backing down. (read about strikers’ solidarity parcels, and get one yourself!)

Victory

Just a week later, on March 7, we achieved a significant milestone. After relentless collective action, Hunters Newcastle surrendered the tenancy, and our members were able to move into a warm, dry flat.

Our campaign continued with a symbolic act on April 8, when we attempted to deliver 100 litres of water to Hunters Newcastle and the landlord’s residence. Though neither accepted the delivery, it made a bold statement about their neglect. Even more alarming, a former tenant reached out after seeing our video of the protest, alleging similar issues in a different property owned by the same landlord, including rotten floorboards and no repairs made. These allegations reinforced a pattern of negligence across multiple properties and even extended to a care home run by one of Kohli's companies, which was placed under special measures due to inadequate conditions.

Our case highlights a critical problem now being addressed by the government with the Renters' Rights Bill and Awaab's Law. Awaab’s Law, which was introduced following the tragic death of Awaab Ishaak due to prolonged exposure to mould, mandates that social landlords must investigate and fix hazardous living conditions, like mould and damp, within specific timeframes. This law, alongside the Decent Homes Standard, sets new expectations for rented properties, ensuring they meet basic health and safety standards. (read here about long term damp in council housing, we got fixed for our member) 
The extension of these regulations to the private sector is crucial for cases like ours, where the negligence of landlords has left tenants in unsafe, unliveable conditions. Under the new Renters' Rights Bill, landlords are legally obligated to address these issues swiftly. Moreover, the bill strengthens tenants’ rights, abolishing no-fault evictions, allowing renters to challenge unfair rent increases, and establishing an ombudsman service to mediate disputes. (read more about no fault evictions here)
These reforms signify a much-needed shift towards accountability in the private rental market, and we hope that cases like ours will become far less common as landlords are compelled to take their responsibilities seriously. If these laws are enforced by local authorities, in reality though, they are often not.

We invite you to join our efforts. Follow our actions, spread the word, and demand accountability. Together, we can create a future where no one has to endure these conditions.