Tenants want the next government to control rent rises

Tenants in the private rented sector (PRS) want the next government to focus on controlling the pace of rent rises, a survey has found.

The research from Zoopla and Ipsos says this demand is closely followed by the need for increased home construction and enhanced rights and protections for renters.

While all political parties agree on the need for rental reforms, specific measures to manage rent inflation are missing from manifestos.

Rent inflation for new lets currently stands at 6.6% but is projected to fall below earnings growth in 2024.

The survey also found that just a quarter of voters believe that political parties pay attention to housing.

Managing the pace of rental growth

Zoopla’s executive director, Richard Donnell, said: “Renters want more focus on their priorities including raising housing benefit levels and managing the pace of rental growth, while also improving rights and protections.

“Rent reforms are on the agenda for all parties but managing rental inflation is best achieved by growing supply through new home building as measures to control rents can reduce new investment.”

He adds: “British voters have high expectations from a new Government on housing. The overarching response is ‘build more homes, but other things matter too’.”

Encourage new home construction

Despite scepticism about the government’s ability to encourage new home construction, half of voters (50%) disagree with the notion that there isn’t much governments can do.

A significant proportion (21%) strongly believes that governments can positively impact home-building rates.

The main political party manifestos consistently target 300,000 or more homes annually in England, a goal not achieved for over four decades.

In 2023, net additions to housing supply fell 65,000 homes short of this target.

Reducing homelessness and rough sleeping

Mr Donnell said: “People’s experiences and priorities vary based on their position in the market.

“It is clear voters are well aware of the pressures on the housing market with reducing homelessness and rough sleeping and doing more to reduce empty and under-utilised homes in the top three priorities.”

He added: “Building more homes has the potential to start addressing many of the priorities identified in our survey with Ipsos.

“We have been getting closer to the 300,000 homes a year level but breaking through will require need a big political push to deliver the homes the nation needs across all housing tenures.”

How to pay for affordable housing

Public opinion diverges on how to pay for affordable housing with 41% supporting more government borrowing for this purpose.

Only 26% are willing to accept higher taxes – suggesting the funding of building new homes will be a challenge.

Beyond rent control and home building, voters also expressed concerns about homelessness and rough sleeping (41%).

And 39% want to see fewer empty homes.

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