Renters asked for views on housing crisis
Getty ImagesPeople living in rented accommodation are being asked for their views on a city's housing crisis as part of a new plan to improve living conditions.
Bristol City Council has created the Private Rented Sector Strategy and is consulting tenants about their experiences and any changes they would like to see.
The renting sector in the city has increased significantly in recent decades, with costs outpacing wage growth - according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, renters pay on average 45% of their income to landlords.
The public consultation on Bristol's private rented sector is running until 26 April.
The council's survey includes questions about whether people think the sector is expensive, competitive or precarious.
One major issue in Bristol is the high cost of renting and some tenants have reported avoiding complaining about problems that need fixing in fear of reprisals such as eviction or rent increases.
The government's new Renters Rights Act means there will be new rules for landlords and protections for tenants.
The council said it is also speaking to volunteer and community groups, landlord associations and letting agents, to ensure the strategy is fair for both renters and landlords.
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