EXCLUSIVE: Challenging unfair rents will be cheaper than expected under Labour shakeup

Renters will be charged just £47 to appeal rip-off rent increases after David Lammy personally intervened on costs.

Ministers are bringing in a fee to access rent tribunals, which had led to fears landlords could then use it as an excuse to force renters out or threaten them.

However, the Justice Secretary has now overruled officials who suggested charging over a hundred pounds, with the fee just £47, with no hearing fee payable.

The Renter's Reform Coalition (RCC), an alliance of 18 leading housing and renters' organisations, had previously written to Housing minister Matthew Pennycook raising concerns over plans to introduce a fee to access rent tribunals.

Clara Collingwood, interim director of the RCC, said: "When you have to pay to exercise a right, it becomes a privilege. Appealing a rent increase is the only protection private renters have from being priced out of their homes via unfair, above market rent increases.

“Though it is a relief the fee has been reduced from hundreds of pounds, any fee is a barrier to accessing justice. The idea that £47 is affordable to people challenging an unfair rent rise they already can’t afford during a cost of living crisis will come as a shock to a lot of renters, and the Government's assistance with paying tribunal fees won't cover most tenants struggling to afford their rent.”