The chief executive of activist group Generation Rent has backed a rental sector policy put forward by Green Party leader Zack Polanski.
Polanski – who has now been banned from entering Israel after his party conference declared Zionism a form of racism – is calling for controls on private rent increases.
In his speech to his party conference, Polanski called on the government to prevent rents rising by more than the lowest of CPI inflation, wage growth or 2% for three years.
He said: “For too long, landlords have been able to hike prices way beyond wages, leaving renters forced to meet the cost to keep a roof over their heads, cutting back and back and back on everything else.”
Polanski claims restricting rent rises “would give renters vital breathing space” and would encourage the government to create what he calls a national Fair Rents Guarantee, permanently restricting future rent rises.
In response, Generation Rent chief executive Holly Williamson, said: “When we are forced to part with more and more cash, we end up sacrificing the dream of owning our own home, or saving for a holiday, just to keep a roof over our heads.
“A limit on rent increases would be a welcome commitment for the millions of private renters who desperately need breathing space.
“The government should recognise that renters cannot keep absorbing unaffordable increases year after year and rethink its opposition to limiting rent rise”
Polanski is a candidate in this week’s Parliamentary by-election in Holborn and St Pancras.
This is an area of London with a very high proportion of renters – 43% of households rent directly from a council or housing association, while another 32% rent privately. Under 13% of households are owner occupiers.
This article is taken from Landlord Today