The National Landlord Association (NLA) has urged those renting properties in London not to evict tenants in a bid to push up rents over the Olympic period.

It claimed that landlords should focus on attracting a good, long-term tenant in their property, rather than capitalising on the Olympics and Paralympics.

Reports have suggested that some landlords in the capital are evicting tenants and remarketing their properties for as much as £6,000 a week.

The housing charity Shelter says it has seen more evidence of landlords acting unscrupulously, and fears the problem will get worse as the Games approach.

Housing minister Grant Shapps said: “Landlords should be under no doubt that it is a criminal offence for them to evict a tenant without giving proper notice, and that anyone found guilty of doing this – or of harassing a tenant – could lead to a custodial sentence of up to two years.”

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