Sep

LATEST: Tenants’ union’ latest branch to take ‘direct action’ against landlords

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Fast-growing tenants’ union Acorn has opened its latest branch, this time covering the towns of Falmouth and Penryn in Cornwall.

Lead by local Dan Newman, who recently graduated from Falmouth University, landlords and letting agents in the area can expect action from the group when they are in dispute with tenants.

He says his key concerns are the number of PRS properties being transferred to the short-lets/Airbnb market, rising evictions and unfair treatment of tenants by landlords.

“Newman (pictured) warns landlords that, like other groups within the Acorn network in the UK, he is not afraid to take direct action against property managers and owners including email campaigns, pickets and eviction resistance events/+.

“We deserve affordable housing and rental properties. Cornwall is not a playground, it is not just a tourist-hot-spot and nice place to live by the beach if you have the cash for it – it’s our home, it’s our culture, our family, friends, livelihoods – and we can’t even afford to live here,” he told local media.

Acorn has been growing both in size and both levels and scope in activity in recent years. Its most visible actions have included picketing landlords’ homes and letting agency branches.

The organisations, which was founded in Bristol seven years ago, now has operations in in 18 cities and 21 branches.

Branches

This includes Aberystwyth, Brighton, Cambridge, Cardiff, Coventry, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham Oxford, Sheffield, Stoke, Swindon, York and now Cornwall.

It also has a presence in three London boroughs – Lambeth, Haringey and Enfield.

As well as engaging in direct action, Acorn is also involved in efforts to persuade councils to renew or introduce property licensing schemes in many areas including, recently, in Brighton & Hove, and its Manchester branch is backed by actress Maxine Peake.

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