Generation Rent says Shelter has it right when it complains about evictions in the private rental sector.

Earlier this week Shelter claimed that around half of the working private renters in England have too little saved to pay rent for more than a month if they lost their job.

This emerges from a poll commissioned by Shelter which, the charity says, shows that 55 per cent of private renters have had their rent put up in the last year.

It goes on to say that 37 per cent are now struggling or behind with their rent “due to the increase in payments.”

Generation Rent – in a separate statement piggy-backing on Shelter’s research – says it naturally agrees.

Chief executive Ben Twomey says: “This survey reveals a painful truth – renters are in a more precarious position than ever. 

“In such an uncertain economic climate, it is terrifying that over half of renters may not be able to find money to pay their rent if they were to suddenly lose their job.

“That these same renters, through no fault of their own, could potentially lose their home if their landlord chose to evict them with a Section 21 eviction is equally worrying.

“The government needs to act to support renters now and to provide longer term solutions to the cost of renting crisis that is devastating communities across the country. We need to see Local Housing Allowance unfrozen and an urgent effort to build more homes, particularly more social homes.”

“These measures, combined with the passing of the Renters Reform Bill, would protect tenants from imminent homelessness and give hope that things can and will get better. Change is long overdue but has never been so desperately needed as right now.”