Help for those renting poor housing

Renting a home can be bad for your health, according to ExeTRA (Exeter Private Tenants Resource Association), a new Exeter CVS project funded by the E-on Energy Legacy fund, which offers a voice to tenants suffering poor housing conditions, excessive rent and energy bills.

And with winter approaching, this support couldn’t come at a more important time.

Project worker Eve Malster explains: “Exeter is one of the most unaffordable places to live in the UK! Demand for rented homes exceeds supply, pushing rents sky high. Tenants are so worried about the pressure of losing a home, they are tolerating bad housing conditions. To ensure the rent and bills are covered, tenants are cutting back on food and heating. Put simply- renting a home can be bad for your health!”

The ExeTRA Project insists that it doesn’t have to be this way. A new private tenant survey is available to complete, and the results from this survey will form the vision for a new private tenants group, which will help people across Exeter who rent privately.

Exeter CVS are looking for volunteers to form a private tenants group. Volunteers will receive high quality training from Exeter CVS and Bicton Earth, focussing on successful campaigning, setting up a community group, and learning about energy efficiency in the home. These volunteers will then support and advise other tenants about where to get help and information to improve their renting experience.

If you are a private tenant, ExeTRA invites you to come and talk to them at the Pop- Up shop in South Street, Exeter on the 9th and 16th November from 10am until 2pm, and tell them your renting stories. Creative activities and face painting with local artist Sonia Kemp will keep the kids happy while visitors complete the tenant survey. Surveys will be entered into a draw with prizes from: Bike Shed Theatre, Shillingford Organics, ‘On The Waterfront’ restaurant, a wonderful hamper and High Street vouchers.

Tenants can call 01392 202055 for more information. The survey can be also be completed online at www.exetercvs.org.uk/exetra