Young private renters descended on Parliament yesterday evening in a bid to persuade MPs to stand up against revenge evictions.

The protest, organised by GMB’s Young London branch in co-operation with Generation Rent, comes ahead of this Friday’s vote on the Tenancies (Reform) Bill in the Commons.

The paper would prevent landlords from ejecting tenants for lodging complaints about the property.

GMB Young London secretary Rebecca Winson believed new legislation would “give power to the people who need it — tenants.

“Although it’s a small change in the law, we hope this is the first of many amendments and changes which will begin to regulate a sector which is in vital need of control.

“Rents are sky-high and housing conditions aren’t just bordering on Dickensian, they already are.”

Homelessness charity Shelter recently revealed that 213,000 tenants in the private sector faced eviction after asking their landlords to fix something in their homes.

Around 8 per cent of renters felt scared to request repairs from their landlord in case they were then told to leave.

Generation Rent director Alex Hilton said: “Only the worst landlords will kick a tenant out over a maintenance issue, but you don’t know if you’re one of the unlucky ones until you make that complaint.”

Campaigners hope the protest will bring MPs into Parliament to discuss and vote for the Bill, which has progressed to its second reading without debate.

The protest fell on the same night as Labour pushed the debate on the Consumer Rights Bill into the House of Lords, arguing for more renters’ rights.

If voted through, the party’s amendments would see an end to agency fees charged to tenants.

Shadow consumer affairs minister Stella Creasy MP said: “Everyone has heard horror stories about buying or renting.

“All too often the common cause was a middle man, either letting or estate agents.

“Labour’s amendment will stop them being able to double-charge tenants, landlords, sellers or buyers and improve consumer protection.”