RENTERS took over the stage at one of Britain’s largest property investment conferences on its 100th anniversary, demanding rent controls and confronting landlords with the realities of renting in London.

Campaigners from Acorn and the London Renters Union occupied the conference floor at the National Landlord Investment Show at Old Billingsgate on Wednesday, taking over the main stage to address attendees about unsafe housing conditions, soaring rents and landlord neglect.

Private renters in London now spend almost £42 out of every £100 they earn on rent before paying for food, bills or transport, according to the Office for National Statistics.

One renter speaking from the stage said: “We are here because we want no rent hikes every year.

“We want to live in decent places without choking on the damp and the mould. We want appliances that work.

“We don’t want to spend the vast majority of our money paying you.”

Acorn warned that rent controls are “essential to rebalance a housing system that currently puts profit before people.”