A home run: 5 projects that aim to make renting fairer and more affordable

From helping people exchange volunteer time for a roof over their head, to improving tenant-landlord relationships – we pick five projects that aim to revolutionise renting

 

1. Benevolent beds: Dot Dot Dot

Image: Tom Hull

Social enterprise Dot Dot Dot houses property guardians in homes that would otherwise be empty. Residents are required to do 16 hours of voluntary work each month in exchange for fees that are well below market rent.


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2. No more middle men: Letproof

A new Airbnb-style system that matches renters with landlords, improving relationships between the parties. It’s free for renters – hurray! – and costs landlords just 10p per day to list their digs. Look out for an imminent crowdfunding campaign.

 

3. Long-term thinking: Rentgap

This upcoming digital platform promises to make renting longer-term simpler. More than 34,000 people in five major global cities have signed up for beta testing. It aims to streamline the process, building payments, deposits, and legal advice into its platform.

 

4. Vent on rent: London Renters Union

Renters Power Project is more than halfway to its £10,000 crowdfunding target and hopes to launch a London Renters Union by 2018. It is supported by more than 50 groups keen to speak for renters within the capital’s ‘broken’ housing system.

 

5. Safe as houses: Homes for Good

Image: Nick Ponty

This Glasgow-based outfit is Scotland’s first social enterprise letting agency. The team offers good-quality homes in areas where property standards are generally lower than average. It reinvests profits to help folks out of homelessness, while vulnerable tenants get extra help.

 

Main image: Tom Hull


 

This article is featured in issue 90 of Positive News magazine. Become a subscriber member to receive Positive News magazine delivered to your door, plus you’ll get access to exclusive member benefits.

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