Event

How tax reform would make rent controls feasible to deliver

This event hosted by UK think tank the Joseph Rowntree Foundation discusses their new research on rent controls and tax reforms.

Private renters’ living standards have been under sustained pressure as rents have continued to squeeze incomes. Recent increases have driven insecurity, poverty and homelessness.

Rent controls could help ease this pressure, but their success depends on careful design. Critics argue they would lead to a rapid sell-off of properties and/or would reduce investment that would ultimately harm tenants.

New research commissioned by JRF from the Autonomy Institute challenges these concerns, showing many landlords have generated strong returns since 2018 which justifies the case for intervening on rents. JRF’s new report finds that rent controls would reduce costs for renters and lower the housing benefit bill, and landlord profitability could be protected if paired with targeted tax reforms.

Speakers

Darren Baxter – Principal Policy Adviser, JRF

Rosie Worsdale – Senior Policy Adviser, JRF

Will Stronge – Chief Executive, Autonomy