Shelter responds to Nationwide Foundation review of private renting

Polly Neate, chief executive, Shelter said, “Decades of failure to build social homes mean thousands of families are left to contend with the broken, failing market that is private renting.

“On a daily basis we hear from people navigating the minefield of rogue landlords and poor conditions, including damp and mouldy bedrooms or even dodgy electrics. On top of this many live with the fear of eviction hanging over them if they do complain.

“There are clear steps the government can take to improve private renting: longer tenancies, more protections for renters to tackle bad conditions, and helping councils crack down on rogue landlords. But private renting will never meet everyone’s needs. That’s why the government must build more social homes to give low-income families the chance for a decent home.”