44% of landlords support the introduction of rent controls – claim
A YouGov survey commissioned by radical thinktank Common Wealth reveals a surprising number of landlords in favour of rent controls.
184 landlords were asked by YouGov whether they would support or oppose implementing a cap on the amount of rent that could be charged based on the location and the quality of a property.
The results showed 44% in favour, 47% opposed, and 9% undecided.
As part of the survey, YouGov also asked 4,369 members of the public about their support for rental controls and found even more widespread support. There was, though, a clear political divide – 85% of Labour voters were in favour compared to 66% of Tory voters
Growing pressure
Common Wealth, whose funders include the TUC and the European Climate Foundation, is one of a growing number of pressure groups, such as Acorn and Living Rent that are championing tenants’ rights and rent controls in particular.
The findings come on the back of a poll by Leaders Romans Group, which also found that many landlords back some form of rent control. However, their preference was for measures such as limiting annual rent increases or tying rents to inflation or wage growth, rather than imposing hard caps.
Rents tend to be an income transfer from the young to the old and from the poor to the rich.”
Common Wealth, says of the findings: “As a general rule, rents tend to be an income transfer from the young to the old and from the poor to the rich.”
And adds: “Efforts to tackle housing inequalities are hampered by a widespread belief that housing is a legitimate and useful investment opportunity”.
It therefore concludes that: “The Government will resist calls for progressive housing policies such as rent controls until such a time when these are vocally backed by a broad coalition spanning renters and owners”.
184 landlords out of over 2,000,000 or 0.0092%.
Are we to consider all policy changes by a group of zealots meeting down the pub – NO.
You gov are systematically flushing their reputation down the toilet.
Rent controls are not progressive, as proved since 1916, 1939, 1955 and ended by Margaret Thatcher in 1988/9.
Sadly these people do not study history and are calling to make the same mistakes as their forebears did.
I do not believe this. The sample size is miniscule, and we don’t know what the question was – we all know you can get whatever answer to a question by how it’s phrased. “Would you prefer your property to be expropriated or have rent controls?”