Just six Waltham Forest landlords were prosecuted last year for leaving their tenants in poor living conditions, according to new figures.

A study, carried out by Lib Dem London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon, found Waltham Forest council officers found 307 “category 1 hazards” at rental properties in the borough.

However, just 17 “notices of improvement” were served on landlords and only six prosecutions brought against rogue landlords.

Category 1 hazards are the most serious health and safety problems identified during inspections at rental homes.

Examples of hazards include poor heating, infestations of cockroaches or rats, faulty wiring and risks of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Ms Pidgeon said: “Most landlords are of course responsible people, but sadly an element are not. Firm action must be taken to tackle them.

“Basic standards must be upheld for the two million people in London who now live in private rented accommodation.

"Against a background of severe budget cuts councils are clearly struggling to find the resources to tackle these issues.

“My survey demonstrates that where mandatory licensing has been introduced, the resources this provides has resulted in a step-change in enforcement activity.”

A survey conducted by housing charity Shelter earlier this year revealed that one in twenty renters believe they have recently rented from a rogue landlord.

Some 60 per cent those who responded had experienced either damp, mould, leaks, electrical hazards, animal infestations or gas leaks.

Councils across London made 411 successful prosecutions under the Housing Act 2004 last year.

However, Newham council was responsible for 286 of those prosecutions, making up 70 per cent of the total.