A ban on so-called bidding wars, which Labour now proposes, would have to include letting agents as well as landlords a campaigner claims.

Tom Darling, the campaign manager of the Renters Reform Coalition, used his personal X account to tweet that: “I think this specific issue on bidding wars is mainly the fault of estate agents (and in order to work this [ban] will need to cover them). Having experienced myself in London the way they pit desperate renters against one another is truly disgraceful.”

Darling – who in the past has described himself on social media as an occasional contributor to a “fast-growing network of Labour supporters working in the communications, public affairs and media industry” – is a spokesperson for the Coalition, which is a loose collection of some 20 student and tenant unions and campaign groups such as Generation Rent and Acorn.

The coalition’s comments in the past appear to have been influential with Labour politicians who have used the group’s claims and suggestions for policy changes.

A bidding war ban was advocated by Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner late last week when she produced further details to flesh out the broad rental reform agenda outlined some weeks ago in the party manifesto.

The issue was also mentioned in a brief reference by party leader Sir Kier Starmer on a BBC One leaders debate late last week. 

Starmer told a studio audience: “…When you go to get a rented property the landlord just does a bidding war who will pay more … until people are paying through the roof. We have to end that.”

When questioned about how that could be done when tenants are selected by private landlords, Starmer continued: “You can pass legislation to say you can’t do it because it is driving rents through the roof and it’s not fair on people – it’s taking advantage. They say, one person offers X pounds a week, someone else will give you X plus £10, £20, £30. They go back to the first person and say I’ve already had a better off for X plus this. Will you?”

It was after that televised debate that the Renters Reform Coalition campaigns manager that such a ban “will need to cover them” – referring to agents.

The next day Darling was quoted on BBC Online as saying: “In order to be effective [the ban] will need to be coupled with more regulation of estate agents, who often initiate bidding wars, pitting renter against renter, preying on our desperation for a safe, secure home in order to try to squeeze every last bit of profit they can.”

Meanwhile agents body Propertymark has called for further clarification and disclosure from the Labour Party on how its proposed reforms of the private rented sector, should it win next week’s General Election. 

Labour’s aims include a 2030 deadline for private landlords to ensure their properties are energy efficient, ending Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, extending Awaab’s Law so that private renters can be shielded from damp, cold, and mould, allow tenants to question rent increases, and to build 1.5m more homes. 

On the energy efficiency issue, a Propertymark report from August 2023 showed an overwhelming majority of agency members calling for support for landlords to cover the costs of retrofit enhancements, as well as loans and grants to pay for energy efficiency upgrades. Propertymark says it is “ready to fully engage with the Labour Party should they gain power next month.” 

Tim Thomas, policy and campaigns officer at Propertymark, says: “Propertymark will work with the next government to improve the private rented sector for landlords, agents, and tenants, and we share any ambition to improve standards over the next parliamentary term. 

“However, while on the one hand, the private rented sector should contribute towards decarbonisation, the sector needs clear clarity on what financial and practical support will be provided to landlords at the first opportunity.”