Millions of tenants are anxious about paying rent over the winter and 350,000 have already had discussions with their landlords about eviction, new research by The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) has found.

The Foundation has warned that without immediate targeted support, both private and social renters who’ve seen their incomes drop, will be at risk of real hardship and could lose their homes. Some 2.5m households are worried about paying rent in the next three months (1.3m in the PRS), it says, with 700,000 already in arrears.

The social change group’s survey of nearly 3,000 tenants reveals that large numbers that have reduced spending to offset shrinking incomes are cutting back on essentials such as food (70%), heating and electricity (49%), and for renters with children, food for children and nappies (39%).

It says despite Government guidance not to employ the use of bailiffs before 11 January in England, this protection might not be legally binding or be properly understood by households vulnerable to eviction, who could feel they have no option but to leave their home if they get an eviction notice.