The scourge of 'Rachmanite landlords' operating in West Yorkshire has been raised in Parliament 

The House of Commons heard how tenants in part of Kirklees and other areas across the UK were being "dreadfully exploited" and were experiencing a "miserable life."

The "scandal" in the rented sector was discussed during the 'Business of the House' session on Thursday.

One West Yorkshire MP spoke out on the issue, using a term stemming from the antics of Perec Rachman - a landlord who operated in Notting Hill, London, in the 1950s and early 1960s, and became notorious for his exploitation of his tenants.

Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman (Lab/Co-op) revealed that "people in my constituency and up and down the country are being dreadfully exploited via Rachmanite landlords.

"They are being given a miserable life, with rack-renting or letting every room in the house as a bedroom. What is going on in the rented sector is a scandal. May we have a debate on that?"

Responding, Leader of the House of Commons, Penny Mordaunt (Con) said Mr Sheerman was "absolutely right to raise the plight of tenants who either are in unsuitable accommodation or are being exploited by their landlords."

She added: "The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has done an enormous amount of work on that issue, both on building quality and ensuring that tenants are protected, and I shall ensure that he has heard what the hon. Gentleman has said."

No rogue landlords were mentioned by name in the debate and there was no suggestion that the majority of landlords are not law-abiding operators.