Ministers are being urged to press ahead with a rent freeze “as quickly as possible” by campaign group Generation Rent.

It says the measure is needed as tenants are already being forced to spend too much of their income on housing.

Mixed messages

The call comes amid mixed messages from the Government this week, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves reported to be considering a temporary freeze on private rents, concerned about the impact of the Iran war on household finances.

However, less than 48 hours later, Housing Minister Steve Reed said that it was not “under consideration”.

Generation Rent claims that a one-year freeze could save renters an average of £324 a year, based on current trends that would otherwise see rents rise by around 1.9%, adding £27 a month to the average household’s costs.

It adds that rising rents are already pushing tenants beyond affordability limits, with tenants spending more than 36% of their income on rent against the Government’s 30% benchmark, while more than a third are living in poverty.

Many renters are already paying more than we can afford.”

Ben Twomey (pictured), Chief Executive of Generation Rent, says: “Homes are the foundations of our lives. But when we are forced to spend too much of our income on rent, it means children are going to school hungry or older renters who can’t afford to turn the heating on.

“Many renters are already paying more than we can afford. Further rent rises due to international events way out of our control would pull even more people into poverty.

“It’s encouraging that the Government is considering a rent freeze, and we urge them to press ahead and bring it in as quickly as possible to give renters the breathing space we need.”