A charity is calling on the government to be far tougher with Buy to Let landlords over issues in their properties that include damp and mould.

Citizens Advice states its research found: “1.6m children currently live in privately rented homes with damp, mould or excessive cold” and that over half of private renters in England - 2.7m households - are “struggling with one or more of these issues right now.”

It claims the research shows that private tenants renting a property with an EPC rating of D to G that 73 per cent are most probably having to live with damp rather than those housed in properties with an A to C rating; the charity also claims 89 per cent of tenants in a D to G rated property will be suffering from excessive cold., unlike those living in an A to C rated property.

The charity is telling the government it must fulfil its pledge to ensure all new private rented properties must meet the required minimum level C by 2025, and current tenancies follow suit by 2028.

It says: “Landlords are currently only required to bring their properties up to an E rating. What’s more, landlords currently don't have to make any improvements if it’s going to cost them more than £3,500. This cap on landlord investment needs to be increased from £3,500 to £10,000.”

The “head of energy” at Citizens Advice, Gillian Cooper, says: “Every week we hear stories of people living in cold, damp and mouldy properties they can’t afford to heat properly.  It’s shameful that more than 20 years since legislation came into force to reduce fuel poverty and improve the energy performance of homes, people are still suffering.

“Improving energy efficiency in privately rented homes has never been more urgent. It's the step needed to keep people’s essential bills low, while also helping to protect their mental and physical health.”