ARLA Propertymark responds to John McDonnell’s speech on his intention to introduce rent caps at the Labour Party Conference 2019

David Cox, Chief Executive, ARLA Propertymark responds to John McDonnell’s speech on his intention to introduce rent caps at the Labour Party Conference 2019: “Rent controls do not work; it hits hardest those it’s designed to help the most. The last time rent controls existed in this country, the private rented sector (PRS) shrunk to the lowest levels ever recorded. At a time of demand for PRS homes massively outstripping supply, rent controls will cause the sector to shrink. In turn, this means professional landlords will only take the very best tenants, and the vulnerable and low-income people that rent controls are designed to help, will be forced into the hands of rogue and criminal operators, who may exploit them.”