At the end of last year, Zoopla’s 2022 rental market report found that rent now accounts for 35% of the average income of a single earner – with demand for properties at the time 46% higher than average.

And at the start of 2022, a survey carried out by the Deposit Protection Service (DPS) suggested that more than one in seven private tenants were “overpaying” to secure a place to rent due to a shortage of available properties.

While there’s no doubt that action is needed to fix this broken system, getting to know your rights as a renter is one of the best things you can do in the meantime to protect yourself and those around you.

Indeed, as Stylist previously reported, your landlord can only increase your rent during the fixed term of a tenancy agreement if that contract includes a rent review clause – and you can contact organisations like Citizens Advice or Shelter if you’re in need of free, impartial advice.

Rents in London have jumped nearly 20% in the last year – this is the knock-on effect