Over one in 10 families living in rented accommodation have suffered health problems because their landlords fail to sort out bad living conditions, new research has revealed.

A YouGov survey of 4,500 private renters, commissioned by Shelter and British Gas, shows almost half said they has lived somewhere with damp or mould in the past year.

The study found that over 60,000 families were threatened with eviction in the past year, for complaining about bad conditions in their homes.


The figures are released as part of Shelter's campaign to end 'revenge evictions' by a small but dangerous minority of rogue landlords.

Campbell Robb, Shelter's chief executive, said: "Every day, we hear from parents up and down the country living in fear that damp or gas and electrical hazards are putting their children in danger, but feeling powerless to do anything about it. This has to stop.

"With a bill to end revenge evictions going through parliament next month, we now have a real chance to change the law and protect renting families. We're calling on people across the country to email their MPs and ask them to vote to end this unfair practice once and for all."

(CD/JP)