Rachel Reeves eyes landlords as soft target with plans to introduce rent controls
The Guardian is reporting that the Chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering imposing a year-long rent freeze on landlords as a special measure to alleviate the cost of living crisis caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
This will be debated by the government as a package of measures to reduce inflationary pressures on household budgets. The Treasury responded by saying it would not comment on ‘speculation’.
It would be far easier and cheaper for the government to legislate on landlords than tackle the rising cost of fuel, food and mortgage rates.
Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “Introducing a rent freeze would be a disaster for landlord and investor confidence and consequently the supply of homes in England. Any hope of growing the market, or even retaining the homes that millions of families rely on, would be lost.
“There is no evidence to suggest that it would make rents more affordable. In fact, the impact on supply would inevitably drive new rents still higher. Such a move would run completely counter to good economic sense and the Government’s own prior decision to rule out such measures.
“At a time when demand for rental housing continues to significantly outweigh supply, we agree with the Housing Minister’s view that any form of rent controls would make life more difficult for renters.
“Even if these reports prove to be speculation, it is reckless for this kind of uncertainty to be created in the same week that major reforms already causing concern among landlords come into force. For many, it may be enough to conclude that this is the moment to exit the private rented sector for good.”
Cynically, one could see how this coincides with the imminent local elections in a desperate effort to buy votes.
As previously reported on Property118, the government has claimed it has no plans to introduce rent controls and, last month, said it opposed rent controls because they would “push landlords out of the market”.
Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark comments: “With the UK Government introducing huge regulatory change through the Renters’ Rights Act, which will ultimately mean less flexibility and higher costs for landlords and tenants, it is alarming to hear reports that the Chancellor is considering additional rent control measures – particularly when Housing Ministers have recently publicly denounced their role.
“Evidence from across the UK, particularly in Scotland, shows rent controls restrict supply, deter investment, and reduce choice for tenants. Singling out landlords to solve the cost of living is not the answer.
“Rent controls risk distorting the market and undermining investment at a time when demand already far outstrips supply.
“If the UK Government is serious about improving affordability, it must focus on increasing housing supply and supporting long-term investment in the private rented sector, rather than introducing measures that will ultimately make it harder for renters to find a home.”
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Member Since February 2023 - Comments: 41
9:50 AM, 28th April 2026, About 3 hours ago
There’s nothing so permanent as a temporary measure
Member Since August 2021 - Comments: 6
9:53 AM, 28th April 2026, About 3 hours ago
Reeves and her associates do not have a clue about anything, never mind Rent Controls. Germany introduced soft rent control laws decades ago and have a good system which they adapt to circumstances but it is complicated and different for each State and towns and cities. Landlords are prosecuted if they go above 15-20% of the average local rental guides for a particular type of property and facilities. Knowing what happens in UK Government there is no one or organisation that can effectively manage such a system here. Property owners have been targeted by both Osborne and Reeves who have made all their decisions retrospective which should never have happened because investors bought in accordance with the laws in place at the time. This practice of changing the law and making it apply retrospectively is wrong.
Member Since September 2025 - Comments: 30
10:02 AM, 28th April 2026, About 3 hours ago
Heavens didn’t realise landlords were blocking the strait of Hormuz and so had to be punished. So extra tax wasn’t enough? RRA wasn’t enough? Wow we are really evil aren’t we?
Member Since February 2016 - Comments: 1
10:06 AM, 28th April 2026, About 3 hours ago
And of course landlords aren’t affected in any shape or form by the cost of living crisis..
Member Since March 2022 - Comments: 367
10:14 AM, 28th April 2026, About 3 hours ago
She seems all for moves that will cost people other than the Government money. Why not wind back on a few taxes like fuel duty, vat on energy bills. These are things that would help everyone not just renters who seem to be a special case. I didn’t like Thatcher but it seems Labour are living up to what she said ” The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money”.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3548 - Articles: 5
10:33 AM, 28th April 2026, About 2 hours ago
2 x rent increases just gone out as a result of reading about this, this morning. I had proposed to leave them till later this year when the database costs were known and then make a decision at that point, but no longer.
Increases proposed are still just below market rate.
She wants to see a a reaction to even this threat? … the tenants have just got it.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3548 - Articles: 5
10:35 AM, 28th April 2026, About 2 hours ago
Reply to the comment left by Juan Degales at 28/04/2026 – 09:50
and nothing as definite, as speculation with this lot.
Member Since October 2019 - Comments: 402
10:38 AM, 28th April 2026, About 2 hours ago
Reducing taxes would help everyone – apart from the government, so it’s not going to happen! We are taxed to the hilt in this country e.g. VAT started at 2.5% it’s now 20% and I’ve heard the threshold is going down!
Member Since August 2023 - Comments: 37
10:43 AM, 28th April 2026, About 2 hours ago
Two thirds of the population own their homes and one third rent. Most homeowners have mortgages and maintenance costs.By capping rents the government will freeze costs for tenants but not for homeowners. To be fair to homeowners the government should put a cap on mortgage and supplier costs.
Of course this is rubbish, but is equally as valid as the government convoluted thinking on tenants and landlords. The government just don’t get that the ever increasing costs of regulation Licensing rental sector taxation is a suffocating cost to tenants.
I no longer get hot under the collar. Our politician don’t listen and don’t explain, and no doubt will be gone by the time the fruits of their policies are apparent.
Member Since April 2018 - Comments: 376
11:35 AM, 28th April 2026, About 1 hour ago
Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 28/04/2026 – 10:33
In fact this is the only answer to this awful government.We are a soft target, Section 24 , Making Tax Digital , biased RRA, extra tax band when you are a landlord etc. No more Mr.Nice Guy. Sadly good tenants will suffer.In the past I have never increased rents for over a decade but now am forced to more than ever.