Green Party leader Zack Polanski has proposed granting mayors powers to introduce rent controls in their regions, citing pressure on tenants from rising rental costs during an appearance on BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.
The proposal forms part of the party’s approach to addressing cost-of-living pressures, with Polanski identifying renters as among the most affected groups. “The problem we need to fix is spiralling rents,” he stated, referencing 16 European countries that have implemented rent control measures.
Regional implementation proposed
Polanski advocated for a devolved approach, stating: “I think that mayors should be given the powers for rent controls.” He argued this would enable regions to respond directly to local market conditions and tailor policies accordingly.
The Green Party leader acknowledged the need to examine existing evidence before implementing any system in Britain. He suggested the UK should study both successful implementations and cases where rent controls have not achieved intended outcomes in other jurisdictions.
“Right now people are really struggling. People who run small businesses, people who are unemployed. Even people who run big businesses are really feeling the pinch,” Polanski said. “But one of the groups that is feeling it the most is renters. They’re stuck… in an overinflated market where landlords can often charge what they want.”
Market implications
While proposing rent controls, Polanski indicated he would not oppose such measures at either national or local level. He emphasised that increasing housing supply should remain a priority alongside any rental market intervention.
The proposal comes as the private rental sector continues to face scrutiny over affordability. Any implementation of rent controls would likely affect landlord yields and investment decisions in the buy-to-let market, though Polanski provided no specific details on proposed caps or implementation timelines.
