Authorities warned off introducing rent controls in Manchester

Landlords have urged the authorities not to introduce rent controls in Manchester as they would 'choke off' supply of housing in the city.

The call comes from the Residential Landlords Association (RLA) in response to a report which suggests introducing rent pressure zones to control rents in high demand areas.

The report was published last week by The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce and One Manchester. It argues that central government should grant Manchester's combined authority with the powers to control rents.

The RLA says all the available evidence shows that rent controls lead to a reduction in rental housing supply, restricted choice for tenants and lower quality housing. It says in some areas rent controls have led to higher rates of homelessness.

"Rent controls are on the face of it an attractive but simplistic and populist approach to the increased cost of housing. In reality they make the situation for tenants worse," says John Stewart, RLA policy manager.

"All the evidence from around the world where they have been introduced shows that they reduce supply and drive up the cost of housing."

"The Mayor of Greater Manchester needs to work with the private rented sector on how to boost the supply of homes for rent to meet ever growing demand," adds Stewart.

You can see the full report on housing in Manchester here.