PAY NO RENT. These words were scrawled across the walls of Stepney in 1938 as hundreds of people withdrew their rent and resisted violent evictions in the wake of high rents, callous evictions and lack of basic repairs. As part of a strike wave across the country the movement climatically ended with the introduction of rent caps at the outbreak of war.

Today we all know the housing system is broken. We don’t need to read the countless exposés and accounts of so called ‘rogue landlords’ with many of us dealing with substandard housing, sky high rents and the constant threat of eviction. What we hear less about, is the systematic cause of this crisis and how we can get out of it.

Through the course of this workshop we will develop our critique of the housing market, look at some inspiring struggles from the past and reflect on how we can develop our movement strategically in the current moment to secure decent housing for all.

In sharing your experiences as renters and delving into the Mayday Rooms archives, we invite you to assist in developing creative tactics to further the work of the London Renters Union.

Refreshments will be provided.