Landlords have accused the Government of complacency over tenants who cannot pay their housing costs.

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is demanding that a freeze on housing benefits is lifted because it no longer reflects rents being paid.

It says tenants claiming the Local Housing Allowance now face a third year of their payments being frozen in cash terms yet the Government has failed to estimate how many people are affected.

The association says work and pensions minister Mims Davies made the admission in response to a parliamentary question.

Answering a question in the House of Commons Mr Davies said: ‘The Department does not hold this information, therefore no such estimate had been made.’

A recent analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies estimated that rented households receiving the housing allowance will get an average of £50 a month less than if rates had risen in line with rents.

The association’s chief executive Ben Beadle said: ‘The NRLA is appalled at the Government’s complacent attitude.

‘Amidst a cost of living squeeze we need to do everything to support the sector and often vulnerable tenants in accessing the housing they need.

‘It beggars belief that ministers have frozen vital support for many renters with no idea how many will be unable to afford their housing as a result.

‘The Government should unfreeze housing benefit rates as a matter of urgency.’

A Government spokesperson said: 'We have protected the most vulnerable by increasing Local Housing Allowance beyond inflation and we are maintaining that boost – keeping support for private renters above pre-pandemic levels.'