ALMOST half of private renters in England are living in homes that are cold, damp or mouldy, even in the summer, Citizens Advice warned today.

A survey by service also showed private renters on low incomes were expected to spend 53 per cent of their income on energy and housing costs this year, compared with 46 per cent for those living in social housing and 40 per cent for those who own their homes.

A third of private renters in England — 32 per cent, or 3.4 million — have had to borrow money to cover their rent, and 17 per cent have gone without heating, hot water or electricity to do so, the study suggests.

Expensive and poor-quality housing in the private rental sector was made worse by tenants’ lack of protection and security, with renters living with the constant threat of losing their home, and leaving them running the risk of receiving a retaliatory eviction if they did speak up.

Citizens Advice chief executive Dame Clare Moriarty said: “The government must follow through on its promises and improve the lives of private renters.

“This means raising the quality of privately rented housing, tackling runaway rents, and bringing in a watertight ban of section 21 evictions so renters aren’t afraid to challenge poor conditions.”

Jae Vail of the London Renters Union said: “It’s outrageous that renters are forced to surrender over half of their wages for homes that are downright dangerous.

“This isn’t about a few bad apples — the shocking statistics reveal a systemic failure where landlords can exploit tenants with impunity.”

They called on the government to act on the “epidemic of dangerous housing” by providing councils with the resources they need and tenants with stronger rights.

Acorn policy officer Anny Cullum said the findings “should send a stark warning to the new government that immediate action is needed.”

“House building alone won’t solve the housing crisis or bring down rents as much as is needed,” she said. 

“We need rent controls in the immediate, and a mass council house building programme to make sure everyone has a safe, secure and affordable place to call home.”

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook said the findings were unacceptable and that the government would be strengthening legislations.