Written question asked by Paul Farrelly (Labour) on Wednesday, 23 October 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 28 October 2019 (named day). A holding answer was provided on Monday, 28 October 2019. A substantive answer was provided by Esther McVey (Conservative) on Monday, 4 November 2019 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Affordable Housing

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing rent freezes to maintain affordable housing for low-income households.

Answer: The government does not favour the introduction of caps on private rents as this could restrict investment in the private rented sector. From 1915 to the late 1980s, successive governments implemented policies to control or restrict private rents, which coincided with the decline in the private rented sector from nine-tenths of the housing stock in 1915 to one tenth in 1991.

Rent caps have lead to worse property conditions for tenants by discouraging investment in existing accommodation.

Secondary information