MORE than 90,000 privately rented homes in the north of England have suffered animal infestations such as mice and cockroaches in the last year.

Research by housing charity Shelter found one in 13 home let by private landlords in the North-East, North-West and Yorkshire and Humber have been plagued by pests.

According to the Shelter and YouGov poll of more than 3,700 private renters, bad living conditions are rife with almost half of renters (47 per cent) reporting problems in the last year.

A third said they had lived in a property with damp or mould (33 per cent), a fifth suffered with poor insulation and excess cold (20 per cent), while electrical hazards were reported by 14 per cent.

Last year, almost 6,000 private renters called the Shelter helpline and nearly 400,000 people visited the website for expert advice on conditions or disrepair in their homes.

Shelter helpline adviser Nadeem Khan said: “Some of the housing horrors we hear are truly shocking – from people who are forced to live in flats crawling with fleas or rats, or with water pouring out of the toilet waste pipe, to those who’ve been through the ordeal of a fire in their home caused by faulty wiring.

“No-one should have to live in a home which is unsanitary or unsafe, and that’s why it’s crucial to know your rights as a renter. Shelter is here to help anyone putting up with bad conditions, and our free expert advice is available online at shelter.org.uk/advice or through our helpline 0808-800-4444.”