Britain’s rental market at ‘boiling point’ as prices skyrocket and tenants compete for mouldy, cold homes

Louise, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, has lived in the same two-bedroom flat in north London since 1996, during which time the property has never been renovated or refurbished.

But last year her landlord told her the rent would soon be increasing by 25 per cent, a startling £325 extra a month. She is one of millions of Britons in the grip of a “cost of renting” crisis as prices skyrocket, no-fault evictions surge, and properties across the country are mouldy, damp and cold.

The average rent in the UK is now £1,238, which is £102 higher than 12 months ago after a record rise of 9 per cent.

Louise said: “I’m on fixed. I can’t actually do anything, I haven’t got any money to do anything... I don’t know where I am going to get the money from.”