More than 2,500 residents in Brighton and Hove have signed a petition urging the council to introduce affordable rents and decent housing.

The Living Rent petition is fuelled by stories of private tenants who struggle to feed their families while paying two-thirds of their monthly wages on rent.

A Brighton resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “I have rented privately over the last 18 years and moved home ten times. It’s so frustrating.

“I pay £495 a month for a studio and even though this is less than the average rent, along with council tax and utilities it stills swallows up most of my wages.”

With more than 2,000 e-signatures and 500 paper ones, the Living Rent campaign has produced the fifth most popular petition in the history of the city council website.

Many people have also written to the organisers of Living Rent about their constant battle with the escalating rates, which range from £689 for a bedsit to £1,434 for a three bedroom house.

One private tenant agonised over living in a mouldy house that had holes in the floor, little heating and a broken bath because it was the only one within the family’s price range.

David Gibson, community activist and coordinator of the Living Rent campaign, envisions a future where families can have stable home lives without fearing landlords or paying extortionate sums.  

He said: “I just think it’s unfair. People need security to live their lives and they haven’t got it in the private rented sector. It’s great having a living wage but it’s time for a living rent.”

The Living Rent team will present their petition to Brighton and Hove City Council at Hove Town Hall on Thursday, October 23.

During the lobby Living Rent will ask the council to support an ethical landlord scheme with fairer rents, secure tenancies and a good standard of property maintenance.

Mr Gibson said: “We’re not trying to have a political battle over these things. What we need to do is get as many parties as possible to support them.”

The Living Rent petition will be open until Thursday and Mr Gibson is encouraging tenants and landlords to share their experiences by emailing him at david@ntlworld.com.

View the petition at www.present.brighton-hove.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=424.