Report reveals Bristol's rogue landlords are exploiting tenants in exchange for cheap rent
There are reports of landlords asking for unpaid work and sexual favours
A new report reveals tenants in Bristol are being exploited by rogue landlords, including requests for unpaid work and sexual favours.
In the last year alone the 'Rogue Landlord Report' shows almost a quarter of tenants have experienced or been threatened with eviction and over a third have had to deal with mould and damp (36%).
Yet the report reveals renters feel unable to ask their landlord or letting agent for support with repairs due to fear of repercussions, like rent increases or even eviction.
The power dynamic leaves tenants vulnerable to exploitation, with 9% of renters in Bristol being asked to carry out unpaid work and some reports of landlords asking for sexual favours.
The report by Duncan Lewis Solicitors comes amid mounting pressure for reform and calls to create a national landlord register.
The Renters’ Reform Bill is due to return to Parliament next month.
Key changes include the abolition of "no-fault" evictions and new protections against rent increases and discrimination.
But with no set date for its passage into law, Duncan Lewis warns almost five million renters remain vulnerable to substandard living conditions, financial strain, and eviction threats.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said:
“These findings are extremely concerning, and some of the very serious activity referenced is illegal and should be reported to the police.
“We are cracking down on rogue landlords who make tenants' lives a misery, delivering long overdue reform to the private rented sector.
“Our Renters’ Rights Bill will protect renters by banning section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions and giving councils stronger powers to crack down on landlords who break the rules - including criminal prosecution.
“This is alongside tackling the blight of poor-quality homes by extending Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector and introducing a Decent Homes Standard for privately rented homes for the first time. ”