The British Property Federation (BPF) has lent its support to a high-profile campaign calling for better enforcement of tenants’ rights in the private rented sector.

Launched by homelessness charity Shelter, the campaign, ‘Tackling Rogue Landlords’, sets out a range of rights that are enshrined in law, but poorly enforced by local authorities and other agencies. These range from protection against eviction and of tenants’ deposits, to serious health and safety law that enshrines gas and electrical safety checks.

The campaign was the focus of a recent Parliamentary debate on ‘unscrupulous landlords in the private rented sector’ which was led by Labour MP Jon Cruddas.

The BPF said action was essential given the huge growth in private renting over the past 10 years, which has seen 1.1m additional households finding a home in the sector – accounting for almost all housing growth since 2000. And with mortgage and public finance for housing likely to remain constrained, the importance of the private rented sector to housing the nation will only increase.

The BPF, while sensitive to the financial constraints on local authorities, said enforcement of standards could still be improved.

Ian Fletcher, Director of Policy at the BPF, said: “Simply embedding something in law doesn’t of itself make things happen. Standards are as much about the people in the sector, landlords, tenants and local authorities, and how they react. The private rented sector has made huge strides over the past decade to provide better quality accommodation, but the perception of the sector is still often shaped by a few “bad apples”, rather than the many decent landlords out there providing a good service. We want to see that change.

“While we don’t agree with every single word in the Shelter briefing the vast majority of it is very sensible, including some of the policy suggestions. For example, in this day and age people should be getting a written tenancy agreement for what is, after all, their home.

“National government also needs to make people more aware of their rights and responsibilities. At a time when as nation we are splashing cash at informing people about digital tv, but many live in ignorance of their basic housing rights, you have to wonder if we have got our priorities correct.”