Should the government introduce rent controls to improve housing affordability?

Housing leaders, policymakers, researchers, landlords and tenant representatives met in Birmingham to debate strengthening tenant voice and whether rent controls would improve affordability in the private rented sector. The event, sponsored by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and West Midlands Combined Authority, welcomed the Renters’ Rights Act and abolition of Section 21 no-fault evictions but stressed that legislation alone is insufficient without better enforcement and tenant engagement. Poor housing conditions were linked to health inequalities, educational outcomes and economic opportunity.