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More than half support reintroduction of rent controls, poll reveals (12 January 2015)

Date: 12/01/2015
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, More than half support reintroduction of rent controls, poll reveals

A poll conducted by rental tenants' campaign group Generation Rent as found that 59% of Britons support the reintroduction of rent controls, with only 6.8% of those polled opposing them. A total of 34% of those polled had no opinion, however, according to a report by social housing website 24Dash.com.

The poll of 1,009 people by Survation was conducted in December 2014 and found that supporters of all political parties were in favour of bringing back rent controls, with 55% of Conservative supporters backing the measure – as well as 58% of UKIP supporters.

Among Labour supporters, the researchers found 69% were in favour of the return of rent controls – as well as 70% of Liberal Democrat supporters questioned by Survation.

A total of 77% of private sector rental tenants supported the reintroduction of rent controls, the poll also revealed – as well as 56% of homeowners.

Increasing house prices have not only impacted on homebuyers and homeowners – but also rental tenants in the private sector who in many areas of the country face fierce competition from other renters to find affordable accommodation to lease.

Overseas investment in the UK property market has also led to more properties being bought as investment opportunities by development companies, looking to profit by redeveloping existing sites.

In December, the New Era estate in Hackney, east London – traditionally a low-income area – became the focus of calls for rent controls, after US firm Westbrook Holdings bought the estate.

It was feared many tenants could be forced to leave their homes on the estate before Christmas and New Year, amid fears Westbrook Holdings would increase their existing rents by 200%. East London and the London Borough of Hackney have become gentrified in recent years, with private sector rental tenants paying up to £2,000 a month to rent flats.

Welfare reforms introduced by the government have capped household welfare benefits at £500 per week, however, including housing benefit used to pay rent to landlords.

After a public backlash, Westbrook Holdings agreed to hand over the management of the New Era estate to housing charity Dolphin Square Foundation.

Commenting on the results of the Survation poll, Generation Rent director Alex Hilton said:

“The high level of support from home owners indicates concern and sympathy from an older generation for a largely younger generation condemned by high house prices to a lifetime of rent slavery.

“Private sector renters are now spending upwards of 40% of their incomes on rent.

“By supporting rent control, politicians have an opportunity to do something that will have real, beneficial impact to millions of people; while at the same time saving the taxpayer money through the housing benefit bill – £9 billion of which goes straight into the pockets of private sector landlords.”

Duncan Lewis Housing Lawyers

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of Legal Aid housing lawyers able to advise social housing tenants and rental tenants on a wide range of housing law, including:

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