Long time lurker on this thread, otta's contributions strike me as very valid, I'm a previous renter just off Ll lane our private LL was possibly the most unpleasant individual it's ever been my misfortune to encounter and the fact that he is at least ?300k better off for our 24 month tennancy, probably more than that really upsets me. It is a free market and should be, for better and for worse, some people took a risk that for one I was 'nt willing to take, and have gained quite spectacularly from it. To be honest at the lower levels of the market I would reluctantly blame the sell of off social housing by successive governments, I 'm not sure what can be done about it but please only shop places where they pay the living wage so people have a chance of affording life in london and where ever you work, ask how much the cleaners are paid