Citizens Advice regularly publishes policy research on issues affecting clients of our service. We use this evidence to campaign for changes in policies and services.
Our policy work in this area covers issues with the social and private rented sector, mortgages and rent arrears.
13 April 2022
We asked tenants what they wanted from the upcoming Renters Reform Bill. They told us that addressing insecurity was key to meaningful reform.
17 March 2022
For most people, the 'cost of living crisis' means an increase in energy bills, and with good reason. But there’s another essential cost that is also likely to be impacted: rent.
26 March 2021
The insecurity, unaffordability and disrepair of tenancies reported by private renters during the pandemic existed beforehand and will persist after restrictions are lifted. These issues must be addressed by the upcoming Renters Reform bill.
05 January 2021
Many private renters have lost income due to coronavirus, meaning half a million are behind on their rent. Without support renters face unmanageable debt and the threat of eviction.
11 October 2019
Abolishing section 21 grounds for possession is a welcome step to increase security for private renters, but needs to be implemented without disadvantaging them
11 October 2019
This paper sets out how a publicly accessible national landlord and property register could work in practice. It forms Citizens Advice’s response to the government’s consultation on the rogue landlord database reform.
25 June 2019
Regulation and enforcement in the private rented sector is patchy and confusing for both tenants and landlords. A national housing body should be established to set consistent standards, providing more protection for tenants and making it easier for landlords to do their jobs.
22 January 2019
Current court systems are inaccessible, and changes to legal aid have made this worse. MHCLG’s proposed reforms could leave these barriers unresolved.
26 September 2018
Previous efforts to prevent retaliatory eviction have failed - greater security for private renters in England is needed.
16 April 2018
The government has proposed to introduce an ombudsman for private landlords. This report shows how to make this work in practice.
13 July 2017
It’s currently too difficult for tenants to get disrepair fixed. The private rented sector needs stronger consumer rights and better enforcement.
01 June 2017
Citizens Advice’s response to DCLG’s consultation on banning letting agent fees to tenants.
23 December 2015
Our research showing the number of households earning more than £30,000 a year renting unsafe homes with a "category 1" hazard.
05 August 2015
How many private renters could get caught up in repossessions as interest rates rise?
16 June 2015
Eight local Citizens Advice studies of housing market failures around England and Wales.
28 May 2015
Citizens Advice report on how England moved from secure family homes towards rundown rentals.
27 March 2015
How letting agents are still ripping off private renters - and what this tells us about consumer protection
13 January 2015
Citizens Advice policy research report on evaluating consumer protections in the private rental sector.
27 February 2012
Evidence on the case for abolishing the standard interest rate used to calculate support for mortgage interest
