A new report has laid bare the scale of exploitation in Britain’s private rental sector, revealing that tenants are being harassed, threatened with eviction, and in some cases asked for sexual favours or unpaid labour in lieu of rent.
The Rogue Landlord Report 2025, commissioned by Duncan Lewis Solicitors, paints a stark picture of a market under acute pressure as rising demand, record rents and a shortage of affordable homes tilt power sharply towards landlords.
Based on a survey of 1,000 renters across the UK, the research found that nearly one in five tenants (18%) had been threatened with eviction in the past year, while almost a third reported living with damp or mould.
More than 40% said they had paid for repairs themselves after landlords or agents failed to act.
SERIOUS ABUSE
Perhaps most striking were the accounts of serious abuse: one in 17 tenants said their landlord had requested sexual favours, while one in 11 reported being asked to undertake unpaid work in exchange for rent.
Manjinder Kaur Atwal, director of housing at Duncan Lewis Solicitors and author of the report, says: “This research exposes the grim reality of Britain’s broken rental system.
“Too many tenants are suffering in silence – harassed, exploited, and even asked for sexual favours or unpaid work simply to keep a roof over their heads.
“The law is there to protect people, but while the Renters’ Rights Bill promises change, ongoing delays mean many remain vulnerable right now. Without urgent legislative action, rogue landlords will continue to exploit loopholes, leaving tenants to bear the physical, emotional and financial consequences.”
UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
The publication of the findings comes amid heightened scrutiny of the rental sector. Last month, the homelessness minister resigned following revelations about her treatment of tenants.
The government’s Renters’ Rights Bill, which would ban Section 21 “no fault” evictions and give councils stronger powers to prosecute rogue landlords, is due to return to Parliament next month.
A government spokesperson says: “These findings are extremely concerning and some of the very serious activity references are illegal and should be reported to the police. 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.”
FINANCIAL TOLL
The report also highlights the financial toll of the crisis. Almost two thirds of tenants (62%) saw their rent increase in the past year, while nearly a quarter were forced to move because they could no longer afford their home. Just under a third (30%) reported stress and anxiety directly linked to their housing situation.
Campaigners have long called for the creation of a national landlord register, arguing that without stricter enforcement the imbalance of power between landlords and tenants will persist. With average rents now at record levels in many cities, experts warn that overcrowding, substandard living conditions and unlawful practices risk becoming endemic.
Atwal adds: “Legal protections exist, but access to justice remains patchy, with overstretched housing courts and limited awareness of rights creating barriers. Stronger enforcement and meaningful reform are urgently needed if Britain is to fix its broken rental system.”
