Almost half of private renters in South East victim of illegal acts by landlords

As a result, housing charity Shelter is calling on the government to keep its promise to provide greater protections for renters.

According to a YouGov study, a total of 42 per cent of the South East’s private renters - equivalent to 476,000 people - have been the victim of illegal behaviour from landlords or letting agents.

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The study of 3,500 private renters revealed the most common illegal behaviour faced by renters in the South East is a landlord or letting agent entering their home without giving notice.

A quarter of respondents had experienced this - equivalent to 286,000 people.

While a tenth even claimed to have been assaulted, threatened or harassed.

A total of 42 per cent of the South East’s private renters have been the victim of illegal behaviour from landlords or letting agents

Safety and standards were also a concern with 22 per cent of the region’s private renters stating essential safety or household appliances like smoke alarms, central heating or water supplies were not working when they moved into a property.

Close to a fifth - 19 per cent - of renters said their landlord or letting agent had broken the law by failing to secure their deposit in an approved government protection scheme.

Ahead of the Conservative Party conference, Shelter is calling on the government to keep its promise to provide greater protections for renters.

The housing charity is urging government to include a national landlord register in the upcoming Renters’ Reform Bill to ensure landlords fulfil their legal obligations, help regulate the private rental sector and give renters the power to enforce their rights against law-breaking behaviour.

Shelter chief executive Polly Neate said renters shouldn’t have to put up with broken safety alarms or the threat of harassment and violence.

“Home is everything. Yet tens of thousands of private renters across the South East don’t feel safe or secure in theirs because of landlords and agents who flout the law,” she said.

“Enough is enough. Nobody is above the law and renters are tired of being powerless to enforce their rights.

“The government has promised voters a fairer private renting system that punishes illegal behaviour by landlords and letting agents.

“To deliver on this promise, its Renters’ Reform Bill must include a national landlord register that makes landlords fully accountable and helps drive up standards across private renting.”

Polly added that any private renters worried about their housing situation can contact Shelter for free by visiting their website.