Charity wants to hear from renters

BRISTOL Shelter wants to hear the views of renters in Bristol to help tackle the city’s housing crisis. Bristol is currently the sixth most expensive place to rent a home in the UK, with average monthly rents now at £1,336.

The link between the rise in homelessness and evictions for private renters has also increased. Eviction from private rented property has become the biggest cause of homelessness in Bristol for the first time in four years.

Bristol Shelter hopes that by collecting the views and experiences of private renters in Bristol, it can identify issues to work on together.

The housing and homelessness charity is asking private renters to fill out a survey to help “make change happen in Bristol”.

Shelter Bristol is also supporting a fair rent campaign, bringing together a small group of renters in the city to demand the city’s leaders tackle unaffordable rents, poor living conditions and discrimination. The group recently created a huge mural calling for rent controls on New Gatton Road in St Werburghs.

A spokesperson from Bristol Shelter said: “The housing emergency continues to impact the lives of thousands of people living in Bristol. Renters are facing insecurity and poor conditions every day and, with rents outstripping local incomes, properties are becoming unaffordable for many.

“Please fill in our short survey and tell us your experiences of renting privately in the city. Whether it’s damp and mould, overcrowded and unsafe conditions, eviction, unaffordable rent or homelessness, tell us what issues you are having and what you think needs to change.”