Calls for the Labour government to regulate private rents have intensified following polling that found strong public backing for government intervention. The Fabian Society, a left-wing think tank, suggests ministers should expand on the Renters’ Rights Act by implementing controls tailored to local housing conditions.
Polling revealed that 57% of private renters and 49% of the public consider affordability to be the biggest problem for tenants. A separate question indicated that 82% of the public and 89% of renters believe the government should regulate housing markets when they fail to provide affordable homes.
Marcus Johns, writing on the Fabian Society's website, stated that the private rental sector is not a functioning market beyond supply, arguing that landlords are not disciplined by the market and are earning "supernormal returns." The society also highlighted that England's 12 million private renters are experiencing increasing financial pressure and insecurity.
Analysis in the society's report found that two in five renters spend over 30% of their income on rent, with one in ten spending more than 70%. The Fabian Society advocates for carefully targeted controls, citing examples in Spain and Ireland, and also proposes recording rents paid, property standards, and facilities on the new landlord database.