Given that 23 per cent of Camden households live in the private rented sector, many of your readers will no doubt be interested in the results of our recent Tenant s Survey. Not only did we receive an impressive 35 per cent response rate, which would be t

Given that 23 per cent of Camden households live in the private rented sector, many of your readers will no doubt be interested in the results of our recent Tenant's Survey. Not only did we receive an impressive 35 per cent response rate, which would be the envy of many a consumer research company, but it is also very clear what people's main concerns are.

Given our long-term relationship with Camden's Regulated Tenants, it was no surprise that worries about Fair Rent rises came out on top, but this was closely followed by getting repairs done, cold/damp flats, poorly maintained common areas, and then harassment by the landlord/agent and the fear of eviction. These are things that effect all private renters, regardless of the type of tenancy agreement you have.

Some of the comments we got were also illuminating, from "Unwilling to ask for repairs as this might get me evicted or the rent raised" to one noting the "Ignorance, hostility and inefficiency of the landlord" and we even had one person who thought their landlord "is excellent".

Shockingly one respondent reported the landlord's son raining blows on the ceiling below their bedroom, in a systematic campaign to force them their home to re-gain possession of the property.

What this shows to us at the Camden Federation of Private Tenants, is that there is much work left to do to improve tenants rights and tackle bad landlords in the private rented sector. If you want to join us in this fight - get in touch or check out our website at www.cfpt.org.uk.

Robert Taylor

Organiser

Camden Federation of Private Tenants (CFPT)

11-17 The Marr

Camden Street

London

NW1