A new report has exposed apparently widespread confusion amongst tenants about their rights if they experience poor quality housing.

Many tenants do not know where to turn for help if problems arise with their landlord or letting agent and lack basic knowledge of their legal rights.

The report, commissioned by the TDS Charitable Foundation draws on in-depth interviews with 46 renters across England, adding to its previous annual national survey findings of over 2,000 tenants.

This found that whilst six in ten renters experienced problems with the standard or quality of their accommodation, half do not know where to go to address an issue they have reported.

It was not only tenants who were unaware of the support available. 

The research found that organisations such as councils, advice agencies, MPs’ offices and solicitors gave tenants incorrect or overly generic guidance, typically defaulting to local councils even when better routes existed. 

This misdirection wasted tenants’ time and further eroded their trust in the system.

TDS Charitable Foundation recommends the creation of a single, accessible source of housing advice; improved training for frontline staff; and stronger enforcement of transparency requirements for landlords and agents.

A spokesperson says: “Worryingly, many of the tenants we spoke to felt they had no choice but to accept the situation or move out when they were facing challenges with their landlord or letting agent.

“Most said they found navigating the dispute resolution landscape difficult and frustrating. This is a clear sign that the current system is not working.

“If people don’t know their rights or where to go for help, the new protections included in the Renters’ Rights Bill will be meaningless.

“We urgently need clearer information, stronger advice services, and much better signposting from the organisations renters rely on.”