Unlike the Scottish government, the administrations in Wales, Northern Ireland and at Westminster are avoiding implementing rent control.
Flexible tenancies and rent prices driven by market forces have led to the success of the private rented sector across the UK.
It is vital that landlords are not deterred from the market and have finances to invest and improve property standards. Increasing the supply of properties, rather than capping rents, will ensure rents fall and landlords stay in the market.
Finally, Propertymark believes that by slashing VAT on home improvements, as well as providing discounts or exemptions on council tax and property taxes, the empty homes crisis can be averted by encouraging landlords to purchase empty homes and transform them into desirable properties for people to live in.
There is so much potential here for all governments across the UK to regenerate the private rental market, but housing decisions must work with financial policy and include the impact of welfare reforms and energy efficiency targets.
It’s now time for all governments to recognise the key role landlords and agents play as housing providers, understand the impact of recent tax changes on the private rented sector and introduce pro-growth policies that will help tackle demand and bring down the cost of renting for tenants.
Timothy Douglas is head of policy and campaigns at Propertymark
