Shelter claims that worries over high rents and the risk of eviction keep many tenants awake at night.

It says that some 57% of people experiencing what it calls “housing pressures” in England have been kept awake at night over the past year due to worries including high rents, poor conditions and the risk of eviction.

And it says that “as rents continue to soar” the research carried out by YouGov for Shelter and HSBC UK, shows up to 67% of people with housing costs in England have reported “housing pressures”.

Specifically 21% struggled to keep up with mortgage or rent payments; 10% were worried about being evicted from their home; and 37% had to cut back on essentials to afford their housing costs. 

Shelter also claims that 71% of people with housing costs who report a housing issue apparently feel anxious, and 49% say they feel hopeless due to their housing situation.  

Shelter and HSBC UK wants under-pressure tenants to visit the charity’s website or contact their bank for broader financial health support.

A Shelter spokesperson says: “Up and down the country, the housing emergency is raging and as we enter a new year, millions of people are feeling the devastating impact of a lack of genuinely affordable social homes and record high private rents. 

“Every day, across our frontline teams, we see and hear about the crippling financial pressures and heartbreaking situations people are facing. Parents tell us how they are spending sleepless nights anxious about losing their home and having to move away from their work, communities and children’s schools.  

“At Shelter, we know how vital it is that people seek help for their housing issues as soon as possible. It’s only through the help of our partnerships like HSBC UK, that we are able to continue to do all we can for those at crisis point, and help people find and keep hold of a safe home.”