CAMPAIGNERS are refusing to take rising rents lying down.

Living Rent campaigners created a bedroom outside Hove Town Hall yesterday to highlight what they describe as a “crisis in the private rented sector which is causing poverty and homelessness”.

The reclining protesters took to the pillow prior to a Brighton and Hove City Council housing committee meeting set up to discuss how the authority could improve the lives of the thousands of private sector renters in the city.

Campaigners gathered a petition of more than 1,200 supporters which they presented to a full council meeting last month.

One private tenant, named only as Zoe, said: “I have rented privately over the last 18 years and moved home 10 times.

“Even though the £495 I pay a month for a studio is less than the average rent, together with council tax and utility bills it swallows up most of my wages.”

David Gibson, Living Rent Campaign co-ordinator called for rent to match wages in the city.

He said: “Private sector housing in Brighton and Hove currently costs 44% more than the national average.

“We want these homes to cost a living rent based on local wages.”