Health of 1.9 million renters has been damaged by their homes
The issues range from damp and mould, to being unable to heat their home
The health of one in five of renters in England are being mentally and physically harmed by their homes, new research indicates.
A new survey carried out by YouGov shows that of the 3,197 renting adults in April last year, 22% said their home were affecting their mental or physical health in a negative way.
Based on the English Housing Survey, which estimated that there were 8.4 million renting households in England in 2019-20, this equates to around 1.9 million households with their health affected.
The survey found that common issues plaguing renters include damp and mould (affecting 26% of renters), being unable to heat their home (26%), constantly struggling to pay rent (21%) and fear of eviction (21%).
Renters experiencing one of these issues were three times more likely than renters without such issues to say their housing situation was harming their health.
The renters in question were living in both private and social rented homes.
What have Shelter said?
In a separate poll for UK homeless charity, Shelter, of the private renters questioned 22% said their housing issues or worries had made them physically sick.
A further fifth said these issues had negatively affected their performance at work.
Chief executive at Shelter, Polly Neate, has said that the Government can ease pressure by helping renters clear arrears through targeted grants, and through private rental reforms, but that ultimately more social homes must be built.
Polly Neate said: "The cost of poor housing is spilling out into overwhelmed GP surgeries, mental health services, and hours lost from work.
"The new Housing Secretary must get a grip on the housing crisis and tackle a major cause of ill health.
"Listening to the calls flooding into our helpline there is no doubt that health and housing go hand in hand.
"Yet, millions of renters are living in homes that make them sick because they are mouldy, cold, unaffordable and grossly insecure.
"The stress and suffering that comes with not knowing if you can pay your rent from month to month or if you will face eviction is huge."
Vicki Nash, head of policy, campaigns and public affairs at Mind, said: "Everyone deserves a safe, affordable, stable, and suitable place to live, not somewhere which makes us feel 'hopeless', and worsens our mental health.
"Social issues such as jobs, housing and benefits play a huge role in the nation's mental health.
"Addressing the underlying causes of poor mental health can prevent people being pushed into poverty, allow people to live independently, and reduce the need for more intensive support further down the line."