Reports of a year-long rent freeze for the PRS to help tenants with the cost of living have been criticised by the industry, who point out that it may force landlords – already under pressure from the Renters’ Rights Act and increased costs – out of business.
Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said such a move would threaten confidence and supply.
“Introducing a rent freeze would be a disaster for landlord and investor confidence and consequently the supply of homes in England. Any hope of growing the market– or even retaining the homes that millions of families rely on – would be lost,” he said.
A risk of driving new rents higher
He also joined other experts in saying it was unlikely to make rents more affordable.
“In fact, the impact on supply would inevitably drive new rents still higher,” he said.
“Such a move would run completely counter to good economic sense and the Government’s own prior decision to rule out such measures. For many, it may be enough to conclude that this is the moment to exit the private rented sector for good.”
Pegasus Insight Landlord Trends Q1 2026 data suggests that six in ten (61%) of landlords plan to increase rents in the next 12 months, three in four (75%) as a result of the Renters Rights Act.
Mark Long, founder and managing director of Pegasus Insight, said a rent freeze could force some out of business.
“Landlords are not setting rents in a vacuum. Many are already factoring in the impact of the Renters’ Rights Bill, alongside higher costs, and that is feeding directly into pricing decisions. Introducing a rent freeze into that environment could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for those already struggling to balance the books,” he said.
Clarity and consistency required
Oli Sherlock, managing director – insurance at Goodlord, said: “If the goal is to improve affordability and stability in the private rented sector, we need clarity and consistency; not overlapping interventions that risk undermining confidence just as the sector is adjusting to major reform.”
Meanwhile, Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns at Propertymark, also criticised the proposal.
He said: “With the UK Government introducing huge regulatory change through the Renters’ Rights Act, which will ultimately mean less flexibility and higher costs for landlords and tenants, it is alarming to hear reports that the Chancellor is considering additional rent control measures.
“If the UK Government is serious about improving affordability, it must focus on increasing housing supply and supporting long-term investment in the private rented sector, rather than introducing measures that will ultimately make it harder for renters to find a home,” said Douglas.
