Tenants urged to check homes are licensed

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Tenants urged to check homes are licensed

More than half of the estimated 9,000 PRS homes in Blackpool’s latest selective licensing area have now been registered, with landlords who haven’t done so facing the prospect of fines or prosecution.

The scheme, covering eight wards, has been in place for almost a year.

It requires a £772 licence and, so far, 30% of licensed properties meet the higher Blackpool Standard for property management which comes with a discount.

Now, the council is urging tenants to ask whether their home is licensed, and whether it meets the higher management standard.

The Blackpool Standard

The council’s cabinet member for community safety, Cllr Paula Burdess, said: “People deserve better housing. There are clear links between poor quality private rented accommodation and deprivation.

“While we know that a great many landlords in our town provide a decent standard of housing for residents, as evidenced in the hundreds of homes which meet our high Blackpool Standard.

“But there are still many people living in poor housing.”

She added: “Tenants can ask their landlords if their home has been licensed, and if it meets the higher Blackpool Standard.

“By working together, we can improve homes, neighbourhoods and outcomes for all.”

EPC rating discount

Elsewhere, half of landlords secured a fee reduction by having an EPC rating of C or above.

In the licensing areas, landlords must meet conditions covering property standards, tenancy management, fire safety and action on anti-social behaviour.

Discounted fees are also available for homes meeting the Blackpool Standard or achieving an EPC rating of C or higher.

The Blackpool Standard requires landlords to provide documentation such as repair procedures and anti-social behaviour policies.

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23) When every decision in your portfolio still depends on you

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23) When every decision in your portfolio still depends on you

There is a stage many landlords reach where the portfolio feels settled. The properties are familiar, the tenants are in place, the income arrives with reasonable consistency. From the outside, it looks like a business that largely runs itself. Look a little closer, and a different picture often emerges; every meaningful decision still depends on you.

How this happens

Most portfolios are built personally. You chose the properties, ou arranged the finance, you handled the early challenges and made the key decisions that shaped the direction of the business. That involvement does not disappear as the portfolio matures. It simply becomes less visible. The result is a business that appears stable, but is still highly reliant on one person to keep it that way.

The hidden workload

It is not usually the obvious tasks that create this reliance. Day-to-day management can often be delegated, letting agents, accountants and advisers all play their part. The dependency sits elsewhere: refinancing decisions, property sales or acquisitions, handling unexpected issues, and balancing income against longer-term plans. These are the moments where the responsibility returns to you.

The question few landlords test

Because everything is working, there is rarely a reason to challenge this arrangement. The portfolio performs, decisions are made when needed, the business continues to function, which makes it easy to leave one question unexplored: What would happen if you stepped back from those decisions?

Control can feel like strength

Being closely involved in every important decision often feels like a strength, after all, no one understands the portfolio better than you do. The results achieved so far are a direct reflection of that involvement and there is a degree of reassurance in knowing that nothing significant happens without your input. However, at the same time, that level of control can quietly shape how the portfolio operates.

When reliance becomes more noticeable

This dynamic tends to become more relevant over time, not because anything has gone wrong, but because the role the portfolio plays begins to change. Decisions start to carry different weight and time becomes more valuable. The question of how the business would function without constant input becomes more meaningful. For some landlords, this is not a concern, but for others, it is simply something they have never examined closely.

A different way of looking at the same portfolio

None of this suggests that the portfolio is flawed, it reflects how it has been built and managed over many years. The interesting point is that the same set of assets can sometimes be viewed differently when the focus shifts from performance to dependency, not what the portfolio produces, but how it functions.

An invitation for established landlords

If you have built a substantial portfolio and recognise that many of the key decisions still depend on you, it may be worth taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture.

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Government publishes Renters’ Rights Act information sheet with £7,000 fine warning

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Property118

Government publishes Renters’ Rights Act information sheet with £7,000 fine warning

The government has published an information sheet on the Renters’ Rights Act, warning landlords that they could face a £7,000 fine if they fail to provide it to tenants by 31 May 2026.

The document outlines key changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act, including the abolition of fixed-term tenancies and rules on rent increases.

The government explain a copy of the information sheet must be given to every tenant named on the tenancy agreement.

£7,000 fine for failing to provide information sheet

According to the government, if a landlord uses a letting agent to manage the property, the agent is responsible for providing the information sheet to the tenant, even if the landlord has already done so.

Landlords are required to issue the information sheet where the tenancy:

• is an assured or assured shorthold tenancy
• was created before 1 May 2026
• has a wholly or partly written record of terms (including a written tenancy agreement)

Landlords must provide the information sheet either by printing a hard copy (posted or given to tenants by hand) or by sending the PDF electronically as an attachment, for example via email or text message. The government warns that emailing or texting a link to the PDF is not valid.

The government has also confirmed that landlords are not required to change or reissue any existing written tenancy agreement.

If landlords do not provide the information sheet to tenants before 31 May 2026, they could face fines of up to £7,000.

The information sheet can be viewed and downloaded by clicking here.

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Landlords exit as demand soars and supply tightens

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Landlords exit as demand soars and supply tightens

Demand continues to outstrip supply as landlords leave the market due to the Renters’ Rights Act, claims a new report.

Propertymark’s Housing Insight report reveals the number of registrations per member branch has jumped to 87, with the average number of applicants per member branch sitting at seven people per property.

The news comes as the Renters’ Rights Act will become law on 1 May 2026.

PRS landlords have no confidence in the government

A Propertymark member agent from the South West told the report: “The Renters’ Rights Act is making more single property landlords leave the market. Social housing is non-existent, and the local authority is insisting that tenants do not move until they receive the bailiff letter. All compounding the reasons why private rented sector landlords have no confidence in the government.”

An agent in Yorkshire said: “Many frightened landlords and many more concerned tenants, people really struggling to secure rental property in our area.”

According to the report, 63% of member agents reported that rents remained generally static, and 17% reported an increase.

Challenge is availability

Phil Spencer, founder of MoveiQ, explains renters are struggling to find a place to live.

He said: “For renters, the challenge is still availability. With demand far outpacing supply in many areas, competition for rental homes remains intense, which can make securing a property stressful and time-consuming.

“The positive takeaway is that the market is functioning and transactions are continuing to happen. For buyers and renters alike, preparation is key, whether that means getting finances in order before house hunting or acting quickly when the right property becomes available.

“As the year progresses, many will be hoping that improvements in the wider economy start to ease the pressure on household budgets and make moving a little easier.”

Supply remains constrained

Nathan Emerson, chief executive of Propertymark, said: “Within the lettings market, demand continues to outstrip supply, with an average of seven applicants competing for each available property. Although stock levels have edged slightly upward, supply remains constrained, and this imbalance is likely to remain a key challenge for renters and agents alike throughout the year.

“Overall, the data points to a market that is stabilising rather than surging. Activity is returning after seasonal slowdowns, but the pace of recovery will remain closely linked to inflation trends, interest rate decisions, and wider economic confidence during 2026.”

Rise in viewings

In the sales market, the average number of viewings per available property increased compared to the previous month, reaching 2.2 per property.

Market appraisal volumes, which indicate future supply, show that the average number of appraisals conducted per member branch stood at 21.

Mr Spencer said the data for the sales market shows a more considered pace among buyers: “What we are seeing in this data is that people haven’t stopped moving, but they are being more measured in their decisions.

“The rise in viewings suggests buyers have started to actively explore their options again, while stable buyer registrations show that demand is returning, even if people are taking longer to commit.”

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London’s rented home supply falls to 2.9% of stock

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London’s rented home supply falls to 2.9% of stock

Tenants across London are dealing with a tightening supply, with only a small share of homes available to let as the Renters’ Rights Act approaches.

Research from Benham and Reeves puts the number at 34,776 homes currently listed from an estimated private rented stock of 1,188,368.

That leaves just 2.9% of properties on the market at any one time.

Waltham Forest and Enfield both sit at 1.3%, while Barking and Dagenham follows at 1.4%.

Havering and Redbridge are at 1.5%, and Bexley, Hackney and Haringey each come in at 1.6%.

However, the firm is also warning that landlords selling up will worsen the supply for renters.

More landlords will exit

Marc von Grundherr, a director of Benham and Reeves, said: “Rental market supply will always ebb and flow and we are seeing some boost to stock, most notably via the continued expansion of the build to rent sector.

“However, the reality is that those searching for a rental home in London face an incredibly tough task, with only a minute proportion of total stock actually available to new tenants at any one time.”

He added: “It’s this imbalance that continues to drive long waiting lists, increasingly desperate tenant tactics such as paying six to 12 months’ rent upfront, and the sustained upward pressure on rental values across the capital.”

The firm is also warning that with the Renters’ Rights Act approaching, there’s a ‘real risk’ that more landlords will look to exit the PRS to restrict supply further.

Borough breakdown of supply

Across a wider spread of boroughs, availability holds at around 2% or below with Newham recording 2% and Lewisham 1.8%.

However, Bromley and Sutton are both at 1.7%. T

Central boroughs show higher figures, though that’s still a minority of the overall stock.

For example, Kensington and Chelsea reaches 8.4%, with Westminster at 7.4%.

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What if you never had to repay your interest-only mortgages?

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What if you never had to repay your interest-only mortgages?

For many landlords, repaying them was never the best outcome, just the default one.

At one point, you probably did have a plan; most likely something along the lines of sell a few properties at retirement, clear some debt, and simplify things over time. That’s perfectly sensible, and for many landlords, that was the intention. However, portfolios evolve, values rise, rents increase, income becomes more important than capital, CGT needs to be considered, and what once looked like a tidy “exit strategy” can start to feel like an unnecessary disruption.

The problem isn’t the mortgages; it’s the timing.

Interest-only borrowing did exactly what it was supposed to do; it helped you build, but now you might be in a different position. What if the mortgage on your own home is coming to the end of the term and most lenders are not interested because you’re getting too old?

You’re faced with a decision that doesn’t quite fit anymore

Do you stick to the original plan and start selling rental properties?

Do you downsize you home?

Or do you step back and ask a more relevant question: Does this debt actually need to be repaid during my lifetime?

For many landlords, that is where the thinking has shifted.

This is where later life lending comes in

Lenders like Livemore are approaching this from a completely different angle; no fixed “end point” based on age, and no assumption that capital must be repaid within a set term. Instead, they look at whether your income supports the borrowing, e.g. rental profits from your portfolio and pension income, whether current or projected. If that income comfortably services the debt, the mortgage can continue for the rest of your life, not as a workaround but as the intended structure.

That opens up a very different set of choices

You are no longer locked into: selling assets at a time that suits the lender, triggering tax simply to meet a deadline, downsizing your home or reducing income to reduce debt. Instead, you can choose to keep the portfolio intact and let it do what it already does well, generate income. The loan is then typically repaid from your estate in due course.

This isn’t about avoiding responsibility

The debt still exists, it is still serviced, and it is still ultimately repaid. What changes is when and how that happens. For many landlords, that shift alone is enough to transform the conversation.

Plans change; yYour financing should too.

What made sense 15 or 20 years ago may not be the best option today, not because the original plan was wrong, because your position is now stronger: more assets + more income = more options. The mistake is assuming you still have to follow a plan that no longer fits.

If this is starting to resonate you are not alone. We are seeing more landlords reach this point, where the portfolio is working, but the lending structure is starting to feel out of sync. The key is to look at your options before you are forced into a decision.

A conversation worth having

If you are weighing this up, it is worth having a proper discussion about what later life lending could look like in your situation.

It may also be worth taking a closer look at how your portfolio is structured as a whole.

You are welcome to email a copy of your latest property portfolio spreadsheet to Yvonne@Property118.com. From there we can arrange a free introductory discussion to explore the strategic questions your portfolio may raise.

These conversations are typically most useful for landlords with established portfolios and relatively modest borrowing who are beginning to reflect on how their assets could work more effectively in the years ahead.

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19) Why many landlords feel “asset rich but cash poor” and what that might really mean

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19) Why many landlords feel “asset rich but cash poor” and what that might really mean

It is a phrase that comes up surprisingly often in conversations with experienced landlords; “I feel asset rich, but cash poor.”

On paper, the portfolio looks strong, properties have increased in value over many years, LTV’s have reduced, the overall equity position is reassuring, yet the income available on a day-to-day basis does not always feel as strong as the balance sheet might suggest. That contrast can feel difficult to reconcile.

How this position develops

Most property portfolios are built over a long period of time. Landlords acquire assets, refinance when appropriate, and LTV’s gradually reduce as a result of property appreciation working it’s magic as the years pass. At the same time, the income profile of the portfolio often evolves more slowly. Rental yields, operating costs and financing decisions all influence how much income is actually available, regardless of the overall value of the assets. The result is a position that many landlords recognise; significant wealth on paper, but income that does not always feel proportionate.

The natural assumption

When landlords reach this stage, it is common to assume that this is simply how mature portfolios behave. Equity accumulates, income stabilises, and the two do not always move in step. For some investors, that is entirely acceptable, but for others or others, it raises a quiet question.

Is this an inevitable outcome, or simply the result of how the portfolio has evolved?

Why the question is often left unexplored

In many cases, the portfolio is performing well, so it can feel like there is no immediate problem to solve because the properties are let, the income is consistent, and the overall financial position is strong. Without a clear trigger, it is easy to accept the situation as it is. After all, the portfolio has been built successfully over many years, so why change something that works?

The difference between outcome and structure

What often becomes interesting at this stage is the distinction between outcome and structure.

The feeling of being asset rich but cash poor may appear to be an outcome of the assets themselves. However, in reality, it is often influenced by how those assets are arranged, financed and managed as a single business. This is a subtle point, but an important one because it suggests that the relationship between equity and income is not always fixed.

When landlords begin to look at the portfolio differently

We increasingly see experienced Property118 readers reaching a point where they begin to question this relationship and the curiosity lies in whether the income profile truly reflects the potential of those assets.

Is the portfolio behaving this way because it has to, or because it has never been examined in a different way?

That is often the moment when the conversation becomes more interesting.

The stage where perspective becomes valuable

Understanding how equity, income and structure interact is not something most landlords have reason to analyse during the early years of building their portfolio; it becomes more relevant later, once the assets are already established. At that point, even a small shift in perspective can sometimes change how the portfolio is understood, not by altering the properties themselves, but by examining how they function together.

An invitation for established landlords

If you have built a substantial portfolio and recognise the feeling of being asset rich but cash poor, it may be worth taking a closer look at how your portfolio is structured as a whole.

You are welcome to email a copy of your latest property portfolio spreadsheet to Yvonne@Property118.com. From there we can arrange a free introductory discussion to explore the strategic questions your portfolio may raise.

These conversations are typically most useful for landlords with established portfolios and relatively modest borrowing who are beginning to reflect on how their assets could work more effectively in the years ahead.

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18) When a portfolio holds substantial equity but the income does not reflect it

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Property118

18) When a portfolio holds substantial equity but the income does not reflect it

Many landlords spend years building equity into their property portfolio. Property values increase over time, the overall financial position strengthens, and on paper, the portfolio becomes increasingly valuable. For many experienced Property118 readers, this process has been unfolding for decades.

The result is often a portfolio with substantial equity and relatively modest borrowing, and at first glance, that appears to be the ideal position, yet it can also give rise to a different question:

Why does the level of income not always seem to reflect the level of wealth?

The difference between equity and income

Equity and income behave in very different ways within a property portfolio. Equity tends to accumulate over time; it reflects past performance, capital growth and perhaps even the gradual reduction of borrowing.

Income, on the other hand, is shaped by returns on the current value of capital locked into the business as a whole, financing costs and the day-to-day operation of the portfolio.

It is entirely possible for a landlord to have built significant equity while the income generated by the portfolio remains relatively modest in comparison. This is particularly common in long-held portfolios where the LTV has reduced significantly over time.

When the question begins to surface

At a certain stage, many landlords begin to notice this imbalance. The portfolio looks strong on paper, the assets have performed well, the equity position is reassuring, yet the income produced by those assets may not fully reflect that strength. That is often the moment when a different line of thinking begins to emerge.

Is the equity within the portfolio simply sitting there?

Should it be playing a more active role?

Is the current income profile a reflection of the assets, or of how they are structured?

Could the portfolio behave differently without fundamentally changing the underlying properties?

These are not questions that tend to arise during the early years of building a portfolio, they usually appear later, once the assets are already established.

Why equity is often left untouched

There is a natural tendency to view equity as a sign that the portfolio is secure. For some, low borrowing somehow feels safer, and high equity feels like progress. After years of careful management, many landlords are understandably reluctant to revisit decisions that have brought them to that position. In many situations that caution is entirely justified, yet mature portfolios can sometimes reach a stage where the role of equity is never reconsidered after the initial growth phase has ended. The assets continue to perform, but the structure surrounding them remains largely unchanged.

The difference between preservation and utilisation

Holding equity and using equity are not the same thing. Preservation focuses on maintaining the value that has already been created, whereas utilisation considers how that value might influence the future behaviour of the portfolio. For some landlords, preservation is entirely appropriate, but for others, the question becomes whether the existing structure fully reflects the potential of the assets that have been built over many years. This is where the conversation often becomes more nuanced.

The stage many landlords recognise

We increasingly see experienced Property118 readers reaching a point where they begin to look at their portfolio through this lens. The properties themselves are familiar, the equity position is strong, borrowing is modest, yet curiosity lies in how those elements interact. Landlords begin to ask whether the portfolio’s income profile truly reflects the strength of the underlying assets, or whether it simply reflects decisions made during an earlier stage of the journey.

An invitation for established landlords

If you have built a substantial portfolio and are beginning to question how the equity within your portfolio is working for you, we would be happy to take an initial look at your position.

You are welcome to email a copy of your latest property portfolio spreadsheet to Yvonne@Property118.com. From there we can arrange a free introductory discussion to explore the strategic questions your portfolio may raise.

These conversations tend to be most useful for landlords with established portfolios and relatively modest borrowing who are beginning to reflect on how their assets could work more effectively in the years ahead.

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Bank of England holds interest rates as Middle East conflict fuels market uncertainty

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Bank of England holds interest rates as Middle East conflict fuels market uncertainty

The Bank of England has kept interest rates at 3.75% due to the economic impact of the war in Iran.

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) all voted unanimously to hold interest rates, citing the conflict in the Middle East as a key factor.

This coincides with the US Federal Reserve’s decision yesterday to also maintain their rate at the 3.5%–3.75%.

CPI inflation will be higher in the near term

The decision to hold rates was expected. Although markets had previously predicted a base rate cut in 2026, the war in Iran has pushed up oil prices and inflation, making rate cuts less likely.

The MPC report says: “Conflict in the Middle East has caused a significant increase in global energy and other commodity prices, which will affect households’ fuel and utility prices and have indirect effects via businesses’ costs. Prior to this, there had been continued disinflation in domestic prices and wages. CPI inflation will be higher in the near term as a result of the new shock to the economy.

“The MPC was also assessing the implications for inflation from the weakening in economic activity that was likely to result from higher energy costs. In contrast to the energy price shock in 2022, this shock was occurring at a point when growth was below potential and the economy was operating with a margin of spare capacity.

“Increases in household fuel and utility costs, and other prices, would squeeze real incomes. Household and business confidence could deteriorate and precautionary saving could rise, further weighing on demand.

Industry reaction to Bank of England holding interest rates

Joshua Elash, director of specialist lender MT Finance, says: “Set against the dramatic backdrop of the conflict in Iran, this was the only expected outcome. It’s time to hold. This should be a brief measure.

“It is expected that visibility on a successful conclusion to the conflict with Iran will ease concerns on the impact rising energy costs are going to have on inflation. Only then would we expect the MPC to resume its previous course of gradual reductions to the base rate.”

Kevin Shaw, National Sales Managing Director, LRG: “The Bank of England sitting on its hands today will not come as any great surprise. Only a few weeks ago, a cut looked quite likely, but the renewed instability in the Middle East and the inflationary shadow cast by higher oil prices have clearly made Threadneedle Street a little more cautious.

“That said, the housing market has so far shown a fairly British talent for keeping calm and carrying on. We are not seeing the conflict translate into any meaningful slowdown in agreed sales or new listings, and our application levels from would-be buyers are up 9% on 2025.

“For all the noise around inflation and geopolitics, plenty of people still want to move and, crucially, are willing to get deals done. The market remains price sensitive, as it has for the past two years, but demand is clearly present.”

Welcome sense of stability

Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, said: “The decision to keep base rates on hold provides a welcome sense of stability for the property market. Mortgage repayments remain predictable, which is critical for households balancing cost-of-living pressures. Stability in interest rates can support continued buyer confidence and property transactions, particularly in a market already facing supply constraints and rising house prices.

“For sellers and landlords, this environment allows for measured planning, while buyers can explore financing options without the immediate concern of rising borrowing costs.”

Geopolitican events can shift housing market expectations

Lucian Cook, head of residential research at Savills, comments:  “The Bank of England’s decision to hold the base rate highlights how quickly geopolitical events can shift housing market expectations.

“Hopes of easing inflation and future rate cuts have been knocked back by renewed pressure on oil prices, with markets now contemplating that 2026 will end with the base rate at the same level, or even higher, than when the year began.

“This points to a property market that will remain price-sensitive, with the prospect that values will continue to fall in real terms over the course of this year.  The extent to which this translates into nominal price falls depends on how global events play out.

“For now, lenders are expected to act more cautiously, the impact of which will be felt most keenly by first time buyers who are more reliant on higher-loan-to-value lending.”

Financial markets more volatile

Matt Smith, mortgage expert at Rightmove, said: “The decision to hold the Bank Rate was widely expected, and for most homeowners and home buyers, there’s no immediate change to worry about. For those looking to secure a new mortgage rate or coming up to remortgage, even small rises in rates can have a real impact on monthly budgets, and lenders are very aware of that.

“Recent geopolitical uncertainty has made financial markets more volatile. That volatility feeds into swap rates, which are the underlying costs lenders use to price fixed rate mortgages. As a result, some mortgage rates have nudged up slightly this week, even though the Bank Rate itself hasn’t changed.

“Lenders are being understandably cautious in this environment. Some are quicker than others to adjust rates, which can lead to uneven changes across the market.

“These recent rises are understandably concerning for anyone preparing to take out a new mortgage or remortgage. Even a small increase can make a real difference to how a monthly budget feels. For context, the average monthly mortgage payment on a new purchase has increased by around £45 so far, but is still around £70 lower than it would have been at this time last year.

“This is an unfortunate but expected pattern in the way mortgage pricing moves when markets are unsettled. For now, the Bank Rate remains stable, mortgage rates remain significantly lower than the peaks seen last year, and there continues to be strong competition among lenders, even if some buyers choose to pause while the picture settles.”

More hawkish than economists had anticipated

Simon Gammon, managing partner, Knight Frank Finance, said: “The Bank of England’s decision to hold rates at 3.75%, with a unanimous vote from the MPC, is slightly more hawkish than economists had anticipated. Consensus had pointed to some dissent.

“The shift in inflation expectations is notable. The MPC now expects CPI to sit between 3% and 3.5% over the coming quarters, rather than falling back towards target as previously forecast.

“For borrowers, there is little immediate comfort in this decision. While there is a possibility that mortgage rates begin to stabilise if energy markets settle, any prolonged geopolitical pressure is likely to keep upward pressure on pricing. We have already seen best fixed rates move from just above 3.5% a month ago to sub-4% deals disappearing quickly. Lenders are also repricing products with very little notice, which creates a challenging environment for borrowers.

“The key advice is to secure a rate as soon as possible. In most cases, these deals can be renegotiated if conditions improve, but waiting carries clear risk in the current climate.”

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Rent controls do work claims Green Party

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Rent controls do work claims Green Party

The Green Party claims that “rent controls can work,” despite evidence suggesting otherwise.

Speaking at the New Economics Foundation, Green Party leader Zach Polanski claimed rent caps would help tenants facing rising rents.

He also called for the abolition of the right-to-buy scheme.

Rent controls can work

In the speech, Mr Polanski said: “Spiralling rents are ripping the heart out of communities across the UK. Renters are being forced to cut back on essentials just to afford the cost of a roof over their heads, and it’s not just individuals who suffer as a result, it’s the entire economy.

“So it’s time to do things differently. We know that rent controls can work, and we can learn so much from the different models that have been tried elsewhere. Rent controls are an established part of private renting in 16 European countries and it couldn’t be clearer that the UK’s got some catching up to do.

“If we had frozen rents in autumn 2022, households in Britain would be saving over £3,300 per year on average. Across Britain, that would put £18bn of purchasing power back in the pockets of ordinary people, money that could be spent in local businesses, buying a coffee on the way to work or a few pints at the end of a hard week.

“Instead? straight into landlords’ pockets, leaving our high streets hollowed out. Green MP Carla Denyer tried to fix this scandal, pushing for rent controls to be included in the Renters Rights Bill, but this Labour government just wouldn’t listen. A Green government would bring in rent controls. We would stop the chokehold of rip-off rents and breathe life back into our communities.”

More harm than good

However, Mr Polanski failed to mention that rent controls do more harm than good and actually do far more damage than benefit tenants.

According to the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), while rent controls may initially lower rents for existing tenants, they typically lead to higher rents in uncontrolled sectors and reduce housing supply and quality.

Even in Scotland, the rent cap has been blamed for soaring rents, which have increased by 11.6%.

Data by Hamptons reveals Scottish landlords are increasing rents at a faster pace than anywhere else in Great Britain because of rent controls reshaping the market.

Lead analyst at Hamptons, David Fell, said: “The evidence from Scotland suggests that rent controls rarely work as intended.

“At best, they delay rent increases; at worst, they set a new benchmark where landlords feel compelled to increase their rents every year by the maximum allowed.

“Faced with uncertainty over future rules, many landlords choose to raise rents little and often rather than risk falling far below market levels.”

Need to end right to buy

Mr Polanski also claimed the Green Party would abolish right-to-buy.

He said: “Over two million houses have now been sold under right to buy since it was introduced. In the first place, those houses went to people who had worked hard and saved up to own the home they lived in and loved, but now they’re increasingly owned by private landlords, property developers and investment firms who treat those homes, and their tenants, as cash cows.

“One in six private renters is now renting a former council home, often at extortionate rates, and often partly paid for by the government in the form of housing benefit. Another example of a system which is not only totally unfair but utterly incoherent. Our Green MP Sian Berry, she’s been fighting hard to end this mess, calling for councils to be able to buy back homes lost through right to buy.

“We need to end right to buy completely. Build more council homes and control rents so everyone can afford a decent roof over their heads.”

You can watch Mr Polanski’s speech below with him talking about rent controls at 42:35

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