A leading coalition of national housing organisations and campaigners is calling on the next Prime Minister to introduce rent controls, joining major think tanks and senior politicians who have backed the policy in recent months.
The Renters' Reform Coalition (RRC), an alliance of 18 major housing charities and renters' unions which campaigned for the recently introduced Renters' Rights Act, argue that capping rent inflation is crucial to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and allow wages to overtake rents - which have grown faster than wages in 11 of the past 15 years. The RRC's Director said trying to tackle the cost-of-living crisis without restricting rents was "trying to fill a leaking bucket".
As well as improving quality of life, proponents of rent controls say they would support local high streets by increasing disposable income and reduce the cost of housing-related benefits and spending. Analysis by RRC member Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) has shown that a rent cap could leave renting households almost £1200 per year better off within four years. Over the same timeframe they calculate a cap on rents would allow government to increase housing benefit each year while still reducing its overall cost by over £600 million.
In recent months other major thinktanks including the Institute For Public Policy Research (IPPR) and New Economics Foundation (NEF) have also set out detailed proposals for rent controls or caps, and Labour figures have backed the policy. This week Margaret Mullane MP wrote an opinion piece in support and in May former Minister David Blunkett proposed rent controls as part of an alternative King's speech to focus on the cost of living.
Clara Collingwood, Director at the RRC, said:
"And renters pay that price twice over, with many forced to cut back on essentials to make ends meet, taking on debts or pushed out of our homes and communities by rising rents. We're proud that our members, the biggest housing and renters' groups in England, have agreed - it's time for the government to bring in rent controls."
Policies to control rents or limit rent rises have strong public support, with over seven in ten people supporting a cap on rent increases in 2024 Ipso polling and almost eight in ten (78%) backing controls in YouGov polling from February this year. Research from Common Wealth has even found 44% of landlords support controls on rent.
"The next Prime Minister has no time to waste in delivering real improvements in our lives. With rent growing faster than our wages for 11 of the past 15 years, any attempts to address the cost-of-living crisis without regulating rent will be like trying to fill a leaking bucket. Whether or not you rent your home, everyone is paying for this cost of renting crisis, as unaffordable rents drive up poverty and homelessness and create huge costs for councils and the government.