Petition persuades south coast council to consider rent controls

Councillors in Brighton & Hove are to discuss rent control measures after a Living Rent Campaign presented a petition with 1,800 names.

Brighton Pier rent controls

Councillors in Brighton are to discuss a proposal for rent controls in the city after campaigners presented a petition calling for action.

Brighton & Hove Council, which is run by Labour, is being urged to lobby the new Labour government for a rent cap or freeze.

£1,700 a month

The Living Rent Campaign collected 1,800 signatures on its petition, which will be debated by the council tomorrow, Brighton and Hove News reports.

Rent for a three-bedroom flat in the area is around £1,700 per month, with the average salary £2,250, the petition says.

It could be different. Other countries in Europe have rent controls, lower rents and better-quality homes to rent.”

“Private renting is unaffordable for many households yet, since 1989, when fair rent tenancies were replaced, national governments of all parties have been committed to free market rents,” the petition says.

“It could be different. Other countries in Europe have rent controls, lower rents and better-quality homes to rent.”

David Gibson - Brighton Greens
David Gibson, Living Rent Campaign

The campaigners, led by former Green councillor David Gibson, want the government to provide grants to councils to provide more homes at living rents and end the right to buy.

‘Tame the PRS’

Before the General Election, the Green Party confirmed its controversial pledge to give local councils the power to set rent controls in their area.

Previously, the Greens pledged to “tame” the PRS by introducing rent controls in areas where tenants pay the most.

Brighton and Hove Council was run by the Greens until they lost control last year. They retained one of the city’s parliamentary seats in the election last week, also winning three others around the country, including in Bristol.


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