Industry News Sam Hunter 19/09/2023

NRLA urges Welsh Government to reject rent controls

The NRLA has responded to the Welsh Government’s “Fair Rents & Adequate Housing” consultation deadline, arguing that any move to introduce rent controls would have a disastrous impact on the private rented sector in Wales. 

In its consultation submission, the NRLA sets out how rent controls have significant downsides in how they influence landlord behaviour and stifle housing supply. 

The consultation submission written by the NRLA can be read in full by clicking here.

Commenting on the consultation response, Ben Beadle, Chief Executive at the National Residential Landlords Association, said:

“With a chronic supply and demand crisis engulfing the Welsh PRS, it’s difficult to think of any policy measure likely to worsen the current situation more than rent controls.

“Wherever they have been applied, interventions of this kind have served only to deter, rather than encourage, investment.

“If the Welsh Government is serious about addressing high rents and a lack of supply, it must take tangible steps to increase housing supply. A good place to start would be to back our calls for pro-growth measures to encourage investment in homes to rent. 

“Now is not the time for failed ideologies to be pursued. We need progressive policies which will allow private landlords to deliver the high-quality private rented accommodation tenants need.”

If you'd like to read the NRLA's full consultation response, click here to access the relevant document.