In the UK, there are approximately 2.8m private landlords renting to nearly 5m households. As the housing crisis has intensified, it’s a relationship which has become politically and emotionally charged, while horror stories abound on both sides.

But is it possible to be an ethical landlord? Some argue that yes, tenants’ rights are respected and issues attended to quickly. Others, however, see the set-up as inherently exploitative.

One-time landlords Andrew Johnson and Rhiannon Picton-James offer their perspectives, alongside housing lawyer Nick Bano .

When I first moved to London I set up home in a bed-sit above an upholstery repair shop in Tottenham. The landlord, George, ran the shop and I’d pay him £70 in cash every Saturday. The only time I can recall him losing his temper wa

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