Hundreds of housing campaigners assembled in London yesterday to demand that Westminster introduce rent controls, increase security for tenants and clampdown on rogue letting agents.

“Rent freedom day” was the brainchild of tenant lobbying group Generation Rent, homeless charity Shelter, public-service union Unison and several local groups fighting for renters’ rights. 

Sessions covered issues such as organising skills, voter registration and included a “renter hustings” between figures from across the political spectrum.