National charity Citizens Advice wants greater protection for people living in the private rented sector.
Its comments come as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation published new research showing that by 2040 one in five people will live in a rented home.
The research also finds that by this date rents will have gone up by 90% – twice the predicted rate of incomes.
Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “Private renters are at the mercy of landlords. A growing number of people are turning to Citizens Advice for help with problems with their privately rented home, from difficulties getting deposits back to sky high lettings agency fees.
“A lack of rights for private renters means many people living in poor conditions are afraid to raise repairs and maintenance issues for fear of being evicted. More people are facing such retaliatory evictions, including many with children as the private rented sector is increasingly where people raise a family.
“Despite all of these problems rents continue to rise leaving many people struggling to pay for essentials like food and energy bills. As the private rented sector continues to grow it is more important than ever that renters have greater protection from unscrupulous landlords and lettings agencies.”