A new survey of renters has revealed strong support for introducing rent controls, with many tenants backing the idea even if it leads to fewer landlords operating in the private rental sector.
Research from flat-sharing platform SpareRoom, which surveyed 5,607 tenants, found that many renters believe rising housing costs have created significant challenges, including being forced to move because they could no longer afford their rent.
Over the past year, 32% of renters across the UK said they had moved home because their rent became unaffordable. In London, this figure was slightly higher at 35%.
The survey also found that two-thirds (67%) of UK renters experienced a rent increase in the last 12 months. Around 42% saw their rent rise while staying in their current property, while 25% faced higher costs when moving into a new rental home.
London renters reported even greater pressure, with 70% experiencing rent increases over the same period. This included 44% seeing increases in their existing tenancy and 27% paying more when moving into another property.
Renters Accept Potential Impact On Supply
Despite concerns that rent controls could discourage landlords from remaining in the market, many tenants still support the policy.
Around six in 10 renters who favour rent controls said they would continue supporting them even if it resulted in fewer landlords and a smaller supply of rental properties.
Matt Hutchinson, director at SpareRoom, said rising rents and limited supply have left many tenants struggling, despite recent changes designed to provide greater protections in the rental market.
He said that while renters may now have stronger legal protections, many are still facing financial pressure due to higher housing costs.
Supply Remains A Major Challenge
Hutchinson highlighted that rents have reached record levels in several parts of the UK, while the supply of available rental homes has declined following changes introduced through the Renters’ Rights Act.
Although rent controls could provide short-term relief from rising costs, he warned that they would not address the wider issue of limited housing supply.
He added that increasing the number of affordable homes available remains the key challenge for policymakers, with successive governments struggling to solve the issue over several decades.
The findings highlight the difficult balance facing the government: supporting tenants facing rising rents while ensuring there are enough landlords and properties available within the private rented sector.
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