Private renters are at a greater risk of having unsafe or derelict homes out of fear of eviction, which amounts to a quarter of a million houses throughout England, according to a recent study.

More than one-in-four (28 per cent of) private tenants who have experienced problems while renting do not complain for fear of being evicted, new figures from Citizens Advice show.

The report is called Redressing the Balance, and says that tenants who rent privately face a complicated path for redress against their landlord when they have a problem with their home.

The research was released in April, and reveals that almost a quarter of a million households who had issues and chose not to complain, said their main worry was their landlord raising their rent or ending the tenancy.

Repairs and maintenance is the most common issue that private tenants need help for from Citizens Advice, yet were too worried about the consequences of complaining to their landlords. Advisors dealt with everything from mould to electrical faults to pest infestation.

Citizens Advice is calling on the Government to use the planned introduction of an ombudsman for private landlords to further protect tenants from “revenge eviction”. A consultation of the plan was completed on April 16.

Last year Citizens Advice recommended all private landlords be required to join a dispute resolution scheme after it found that 41 per cent of tenants waited longer than is reasonable for repairs to be carried out. As a result, 33 per cent of people gave up on asserting their right to repair, 13 per cent paid out of their own pocket, and seven per cent relocated.

Redressing the Balance also reveals that nearly half of renters did not think their landlord or agent had a complaints process, and 13 per cent of tenants who experienced a problem didn’t complain because they were unable to contact their landlord or didn’t know how.

The charity says that any redress scheme for private renters should be simple to use, with a single, recognisable portal through which tenants can register complaints. The scheme should also have the enforcement powers to punish ‘rogue’ landlords and mandatory membership so all renters are protected and landlords who ‘let-and-forget’ are included.

Landlords who receive the most complaints should pay more towards to the running of an ombudsman, keeping the costs low for the majority.

Nick White, sustainable tenancy advisor from Citizens Advice says: “Tenants renting from private landlords face a difficult dilemma when faced with problems with the property; worrying about retaliatory action if they complain.

“Although tenants are now protected from unfair eviction when they raise a legitimate complaint, they are often unaware of this. It may also be hard for tenants to prove of have the resources to fight such action.

“As a local charity we have spoken to tenants in the South Hams who would like to terminate a tenancy early due to disrepairs and severe dampness, but are unable to do so without a severe penalty whilst the landlord drags their feet over making repairs.

“Perversely if complaints result in improvements, such as a new boiler or added insulation, tenants also worry that this might give landlords the green light to give rent increases.

“We welcome the government’s proposal to extend redress to all private renters, bringing it into line with other consumer markets. However, for any scheme to be successful, it must be simple, free and ensure renters are protected from losing their homes simply for raising a complaint.”

To fill in the referral form, visit www.southhamscab.org.uk/brighterfutures/.

For more information, drop in to your nearest Citizens Advice office. Addresses can be found on www.southhamscab.org.uk.