"As first-time renters, students are especially vulnerable to rogue landlords and the other pitfalls of our broken rental market, simply because they have less experience of it," says Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter.
The group's "renters' index", which compiles findings from the past five years, allots its bottom three slots to Westminster (Conservative), Merton (now Labour but under no overall control until last year) and Hammersmith and Fulham (now Labour, but Tory until last year).
The trio scored well against ten criteria, including bringing in licensing schemes, fining lettings agents that break the law, prosecuting criminal landlords and running phone lines to give renters advice.
The Tory clamour has rather faded since it's emerged that voters favour Labour's idea (the Tories themselves don't even mention private renters in their manifesto).
Labour only had a clear lead over the Conservatives among 18- to 34-year-olds, voters in social class DE (the "semi-skilled and unskilled manual occupations, unemployed and lowest grade occupations"), among private and social renters, and black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) voters.
The institute also highlights the fact that other countries have very different housing models that are often far more supportive of renters.
A self-proclaimed "big picture guy", Hilton's 18 months at the head of the organisation representing renters' rights have been impressive.
There's a huge demand there from renters.
Meanwhile, Labour were only able to achieve a substantial swing in their favour among young people – registering a 7.5 point swing from the Tories among 18- to 24-year-olds, and a four point swing among 25- to 34-year-olds – and renters.
Darian believes the biggest issue facing private renters is the fact that in the UK landlords tend to offer short-term tenancies of six months to a year, with a two-month notice period.
As first-time renters, students are vulnerable to rogue landlords and the pitfalls of our broken rental market Campbell Robb Sometimes, however, everything is not as it seems.
