NRLA calls for clarity from Natalie Elphicke MP on rent freeze proposal

Following the publication of her article for Conservative Home (entitled “Keeping people in their homes during harder times must be a top priority”), the NRLA has issued a letter to Natalie Elphicke MP challenging several of her assertions about the private rented sector.

The letter, sent by our Chief Executive Ben Beadle, draws attention to Ms Elphicke’s calls for a two-year rent freeze across the private rented sector. Referring to this proposal Ben calls for her to “outline how this would help address the supply crisis that tenants now face”.

Our response also cites previous research conducted for the NRLA which shows the extent of this problem across the market. These research findings revealed that in Q2 2022 23% of landlords in England and Wales said they planned to cut the number of properties they let over the next 12 months. This represents a 20% increase on the previous year.

By contrast, the same research indicates that 60% of landlords saw increased demand for rental housing in the second quarter of 2022 – a significant rise on the 39% of landlords who saw increased demand one year ago.

This letter provides more evidence of how the NRLA continues to represent its members’ interests in pursuit of a private rented sector which is fair, inclusive and which works in the interests of landlords and tenants.

You can read the letter in its entirety by clicking below.