The Labour Party has decided to rule out implementing rent controls, nine months after backing the policy.

Lisa Nandy, shadow home secretary, said at the Housing 2023 conference: “As the mortgage crisis deepens – for homeowners and renters alike – it is perhaps inevitable that the debate has turned again to short term fixes.

“And when housebuilding is falling off a cliff and buy-to-let landlords are leaving the market, rent controls that cut rents for some, will almost certainly leave others homeless.

“It might be politically easier to put a sticking plaster on our deep-seated problems, but if it is cowardice that got us here, it is never going to get us out.”

She said in September she wanted to give local authorities to freeze rents.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been public in his support for rent controls in the capital.

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, is pleased with the announcement.

He said: “We agree with Labour that rent controls would do nothing to address the rental supply crisis that tenants across the country now face.

“What renters need is a proper plan to boost the supply of homes for private rent alongside all other tenures.

“Housing benefit rates should also be unfrozen without delay to support vulnerable tenants who are struggling to access the rental market.”

Via @PropertyWire