A report has highlighted the struggles faced by people living in Kensington and Chelsea face to make ends meet after paying their rent.

The findings from a new report into private tenants reveals that many live in squalid conditions and struggle to pay for everyday items after paying their rent.

They are published in Private Renters’ Rights: Safe and stable homes in Kensington and Chelsea, launched on Thursday (November 19) by Kensington & Chelsea Social Council (KCSC) .

Other findings also show fear of eviction, rent hikes and unresolved repairs meant some tenants lack the confidence to contact landlords and letting agents to tackle issues. Significantly 80% of those who say they lack confidence are women.

The report makes a series of recommendations for action to local authorities including:

  • Research into rent stabilisation models based on successful initiatives in other areas.
  • Regulation of letting agents and a comprehensive landlord register
  • A tenants’ charter to raise awareness of rights alongside continued support for local housing advice services.

The report highlights the amount tenants pay in the Royal Borough compared to the rest of London. It states the average cost of a studio flat is £1,212, compared to the capital average of £800.

The average cost of a one bed flat in the borough is £1,800 per month whilst the London mean is £1,104.

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Two-thirds (67%) of people said they were unable to pay for essentials after paying rent, with the report states: “Our findings in this section suggest that the true cost of renting in the Royal Borough is preventing some renters from enjoying a decent standard of living.”

The quality of the homes also came into focus with the report stating: “Our research found almost 1 in 3 (32%) tenants felt that their home did not meet their expectations regarding its conditions, this related in the main to issues such as damp, infestations and maintenance works not being carried out.”

In its conclusion, the report states: “Improved local solutions are needed to adequately respond to the needs of consumers in the private rented sector market in the Royal Borough. The Royal Borough should be at the forefront of promoting a PRS (private rented sector) strategy that is based on needs.

“Better regulation of the PRS, in terms of rent stabilisation and the outlawing of letting agent fees, are one step in the right direction.

“A robust Tenant Relations Service, a well-resourced Environmental Health department, a landlord register, along with better information on rights and duties can achieve the ambition of driving up better customer experience and home stability for tenants.”

KCSC’s chief executive, Angela Spence said: “We know that many local people, in and out of work, are struggling to pay their rents and are being forced to put up with substandard conditions in privately rented homes.

“These same people are contributors to the local economy and are a part of our local community and it’s important that we take action to protect them now.”

A K&C Council spokesman said many of the recommendations are already in practice. He said: “For example the Council has adopted the highest level of fines for letting agents and management companies that are non compliant with the Government’s legislation on letting agents fees and we are currently pursuing actions against two agents. We also regularly prosecute rogue landlords.

“Our officers are happy to meet the report authors to discuss particular issues or recommendations as some of the recommendations would require Government legislation.”