In this episode, I’m joined by Suz Muna, Secretary of the Social Housing Action Campaign (SHAC), to discuss the urgent need for a national tenants and residents union.

We explore what such a union could offer members: practical casework support, guidance on tenancy rights, and even standing alongside residents in court. With legal aid cut to the bone, tenants are left facing landlords with little or no backing. A union could rebalance power, protect people from intimidation, and give weight to campaigns like service charge strikes or withholding rent.

We also look at the wider landscape. Housing associations and government often talk about the “voice of the tenant,” but in reality, these are pressure valves rather than engines of change. Suz warns that unless tenants act, the sector could see landlord-controlled “union” bodies spring up—polished initiatives designed to manage dissent rather than represent it.

Finally, we talk about the fear and isolation many residents feel when standing up to their landlord—and how collective strength through a union could change that. We also highlight the upcoming SHAC conference on 11th November in London, with a call for tenant and resident groups to come together, and direct listeners to the SHAC website for more information.

https://shaction.org/a-national-tenants-and-residents-union/
https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@SHAC_Action⁩

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