Posters actively encouraging homes to be taken away from private renters were peppered across the tube last summer, and again this year.

Green Party London Assembly Member Sian Berry challenged London Mayor Sadiq Khan on why the adverts were allowed to go up at all since the practice was in conflict the Mayor’s own housing policies.

TfL has since updated its advertising guidelines to specifically address short-term lettings, and now say “Advertising on the TfL network must not, expressly or by implication, promote the use of residential properties in London for short term ‘holiday lettings’ in a way that contravenes planning laws”. 

Sian Berry said: “London renters already struggle to find decent homes they can afford so it is outrageous that companies who want to push renters out of their homes should target London like this.

“I’ve been raising this with the Mayor since June last year as different adverts, from different companies, but with the same message kept being allowed. I’m very glad a new policy clearly banning these adverts is now in place.

“Londoners shouldn’t be bombarded with messaging on their daily journeys that undermines or harms their lives or their communities.

“We’ve had adverts on the TfL network that make light of sexual assault on women, ones that come from repressive regimes and some that body-shame people. The Mayor should review TfL’s whole advertising policy to proactively stop this.”