Growing numbers of private tenants are facing homelessness as landlords struggle to keep up with mortgage payments and face repossession, four UK bodies are warning.

Shelter, Citizens Advice, Crisis and the Chartered Institute of Housing are calling for a change in the law to allow repossessions of buy-to-let properties to be deferred so tenants have more time to find another home.

Debt management advice and plans could also help improve the situation, giving landlords the chance to manage their finances and hold on to their property investments.

"With more and more landlords struggling with mortgage arrears and tenants facing repossession, the government must allow the courts to defer possession dates so that tenants can find other suitable accommodation," comments Shelter chief executive Adam Sampson.

Consumer body Which? has also recently warned that many Brits live in fear of repossession as unemployment concerns grow.

Its survey shows that 62 per cent of people are worried about losing their jobs, with four in ten saying they may not be able to keep up with their mortgage payments if they were made redundant.