“The women calling our emergency helpline often feel powerless to challenge their landlord about basic repairs or poor practice, Polly Neate, chief executive of housing charity Shelter,” tells Stylist.

“For years, too many women have had to put up with shoddy private rentals because it’s all they can afford, and there is little regulation to protect them against eviction or bad behaviour from landlords. This is leaving women paralysed by the fear that complaining will see them turfed out – and in the worst cases end up homeless. 

“The NAO report makes the case for reforming private renting abundantly clear. We need the government’s Renters’ Reform Bill to genuinely protect tenants from unfair evictions, and those landlords who fall far short of providing safe and decent homes. Until then, the work of our frontline staff is as critical as ever. They will do all they can to shield people from the worst failings of our broken rental system.”

In response to the report, the Local Government Association called for the government to allow councils across England more power to set up landlord licensing schemes, which it hopes would help raise the standard of living conditions in privately rented properties in lower income areas.

“With more powers such as the freedom to establish landlord licensing schemes, councils would be better placed to support a good quality local private rented offer in their communities,” explained councillor David Renard, the group’s housing spokesperson.

Private renters in the UK continue to face “unsafe housing” and “rogue landlords” – but what is being done about it?