Recent speculation around potential rent controls has now been firmly addressed, with Steve Reed confirming that the government has no plans to introduce a rent freeze or similar measures in England. This will come as a welcome relief to many landlords who had been concerned about increased intervention in the private rented sector.
The uncertainty followed comments from Rachel Reeves, who spoke about using “every lever” to support households with the cost of living. While this sparked discussion around possible rent controls, it now appears the government’s focus remains elsewhere.
In reality, the key change for landlords is already underway through the Renters’ Rights Act. Rather than restricting rent levels, the legislation is set to reshape how tenancies operate, with greater security for tenants and a shift away from fixed-term agreements.
From our perspective, this is a sensible approach. Evidence from other parts of the UK suggests that rent controls can reduce supply over time, ultimately making it harder for tenants to find suitable homes. A healthy rental market relies on confidence from landlords, and policy stability is a big part of that.
That said, pressures within the market remain. Demand continues to outstrip supply, and wider economic factors are still influencing both landlords and tenants.
As always, our advice is to remain pragmatic—set rents in line with the market, focus on retaining good tenants, and stay ahead of the legislative changes ahead.
