Rent and its Discontents: A Century of Housing Struggle

The 1915 Rent Strikes in Glasgow and similar campaigns across the UK led to rent restrictions and public housing as a right, with a legacy of progressive improvement in UK housing through the 20th century. However, the contemporary political economy of housing shares many distressing features with the situation one hundred years ago, with a re-appraisal of the Rent Strikes and a look at current urban resistance strategies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 294 pages
Publication date: 16 September 2018
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

The 1915 Rent Strikes in Glasgow, along with similar campaigns across the UK, sparked a significant shift in the housing landscape. These strikes led to the implementation of rent restrictions and eventually the establishment of public housing as a fundamental right. This transformative movement had a lasting impact on UK housing, resulting in progressive improvements throughout the central decades of the 20th century. However, the current political economy of housing faces a distressing resemblance to the situation a century ago. The decline of social housing and the resurgence of an exploitative private housing market have created a situation where many working class individuals struggle to find affordable and secure housing.

In response to this pressing issue, this book seeks to draw lessons from the Rent Strikes. It re-evaluates the historical significance of these campaigns and explores what housing campaigners can learn from a proven organizational victory for the working class. A series of investigative accounts from scholar-activists and housing campaign groups across the UK provides a rich tapestry of diverse aims, tactics, and strategies employed by contemporary urban resistance. These accounts aim to make a vital contribution to the ongoing housing crisis, offering insights and ideas for building a more just and sustainable housing system.

The Rent Strikes of 1915 were a pivotal moment in the history of housing rights in the UK. They marked a turning point in the struggle for affordable and secure housing, and their legacy continues to shape the housing landscape today. By examining the Rent Strikes and their impact, this book offers valuable insights for housing campaigners and policymakers seeking to address the current housing crisis and build a more equitable and sustainable future.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 152 x 226 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781786605757