THE LABOUR candidate for West of England Metro Mayor has pledged to protect private renters in the South West from dodgy landlords.

Lesley Mansell made the claim after she met with a professional woman in her 40s who uses a bucket to catch drips from her ceiling.

Ella (not her real name) told Lesley that she is scared to raise the issue with her landlord in case she is evicted.

Housing troubles began for Ella after a former landlord increased her rent from £600 to £800 with no warning.

At a meeting with Acorn Housing, she told Lesley that she was forced to become a lodger after being unable to pay the rent.

She added: “I eventually found somewhere to live, but needed to pay £2,700 up front, including a £500 holding deposit just to take it off the market while they checked my references.

“I had to borrow money to do it – it left me in debt before I started – but there is no other option.”

After meeting Ella, Lesley was prompted to make a pledge to protect private renters.

She supports Acorn Housing’s Ethical Lettings Charter, which is signed by landlords and letting agents who promise to provide quality, security and affordability to their tenants.

Lesley Mansell said: “Private rents are going through the roof, forcing people out of their homes or into precarious financial situations.

"Tenants are too often left at the mercy of their landlords – a situation which cannot be allowed to continue.

“Not all landlords are unscrupulous, of course, but too many are, which is why I’ll be strengthening tenants’ rights through Acorn’s Ethical Lettings Charter.”