Rent controls..good or bad?

Private rents are becoming increasingly more expensive across the UK, that is a statement of fact, would the introduction of rent controls solve the problem though?

Figures recently released by the Office for National Statistics suggest that rents paid to private landlords in the UK have increased by 2.5 per cent over the last year,  this rise was more marked in London where rents have  risen by 3.8 per cent year-on-year

According to new calculations by GLA Conservative Andrew Boff, the introduction of rent controls would take money out of the private rental sector and lead to 84,228 less homes available in England in the next ten years, in London that figure would be 51,205 less homes.

GLA Conservatives housing spokesman, Andrew Boff reportedly said:Housing experts recently gave evidence to a committee at City Hall and demolished the idea of rent controls. It may sound like a popular policy but the experts exposed that it is economically illiterate.

“Nobody wants to see high rents but these controls will result in less of an incentive to build new homes for the private sector, would reduce supply and may have the unintended consequences of raising rents to the imposed limit.

“Landlords are average people buying these homes from their savings, they are not evil corporations. According to my calculations tens of thousands of homes will disappear from the private rented sector if this folly goes ahead.”

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Love or Hate Rightmove
Breaking News

Rightmove’s weekly mortgage tracker 10/01/25

Commenting on the rise in UK borrowing costs and the potential impact on mortgage rates, Rightmove’s expert Matt Smith says: “The short term impact is that mortgage rates are likely to rise, as the cost of borrowing increases impacts lenders. However, this is unlikely to be significant and certainly not completely unexpected. Looking a bit…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Rightmove’s weekly mortgage tracker 10/01/25

Commenting on the rise in UK borrowing costs and the potential impact on mortgage rates, Rightmove’s expert Matt Smith says: “The short term impact is that mortgage rates are likely to rise, as the cost of borrowing increases impacts lenders. However, this is unlikely to be significant and certainly not completely unexpected. Looking a bit…
Read More
Breaking News

Access to Rented Housing Will Be Harder for Tenants Most In Need

Responding to amendments tabled to the Renters’ Rights Bill by the Government to restrict the amount of rent that can be sought in advance, Chris Norris, Policy Director for the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “Restricting rent in advance, combined with freezing housing benefit rates and not enough rental housing to meet demand is creating…
Read More
Home and Living

Top Reasons to Hire JD Movers in Melbourne

Moving can feel like an awkward dance—one misstep, and you’re tangled up in a mess of cardboard and bubble wrap. We all know moving is stressful. Moving can unravel even the most zen among us, whether in a studio apartment or a four-bedroom McMansion. In such a situation, hiring a moving company can ease the…
Read More
Love or Hate Rightmove
Breaking News

Rightmove launches Selling Sunderland with Charlotte Crosby and local agents

Rightmove, the UK’s largest property website, has launched Selling Sunderland, a playful parody of glamorous property TV shows, celebrating Sunderland’s charm and local agent expertise. The campaign features Sunderland favourite TV personality Charlotte Crosby, who teams up with local agents to showcase the city’s unique appeal. Together, they guide prospective buyers through three distinctive properties, blending…
Read More
Breaking News

Halifax House Price Index December 2024

House prices in December 2024 were 3.3% higher than the same month a year earlier.   House prices decreased by -0.2% in December Annually, property prices are up +3.3% (vs +4.7% last month) Typical property now costs £297,166 Northern Ireland maintains the strongest UK annual house price growth   Amanda Bryden, Head of Mortgages, Halifax,…
Read More