RENTERS have “won in twelve minutes” against an “immoral” housing agency which attempted to threaten tenants with homelessness because of their political activity.

Members of the Acorn tenants’ union in Manchester and Liverpool undertook major actions today in defence of a member who had been threatened with a Section 21 notice for refusing to pay letting fees.

The fees were banned by the government in June this year, but still applied for people who signed contracts with housing agencies before that month, unless the agency waived them.

In Manchester, a letter was handed in to Ascend’s senior property manager, Matthew Herbert, which reminded him it was in his power to cancel the charges.

The letter said: “Acorn is here today because you are callously threatening your tenants with homelessness.

“These fees are paid to the agency, not the landlord.

“Ascend are simply attempting to line their own pockets at the expense of tenants and landlords.”

It also warned that Acorn would “be forced to take further action” if the situation was not rectified.

A large demonstration of renters was held outside Ascend’s offices in Sale, south Manchester.

In Merseyside, a solidarity picket was also held outside of the company’s Liverpool offices, and the Star understands that company’s phone lines were “jammed” by protest call-ins.

Within moments, Mr Herbert agreed to give up on pursuing the charges, and guaranteed there would be no evictions.

El, an Acorn member who was facing the threat from Ascend, told the Star: “Ascend have made me and my housemates feel stressed throughout the situation.

“It’s affected all aspects of our lives and we are so glad that Acorn were there to back us.”

Acorn organiser Kat Wright told the Star: “We won in twelve minutes.

“Our member was being threatened with eviction for organising against fees, which we think are unfair and immoral – and while they may be legal, we refuse to pay them.

“Now the fees are withdrawn, as is the Section 21 threat.

“This absolutely wouldn’t have been possible if we hadn’t had a rowdy picket with loads of members amping up the pressure.”