City Hall chiefs are asking the government for new powers to control rents and tackle the housing crisis. Bristol City Council should have the ability to cap how much landlords can increase rents, according to a new report by an expert commission on renting in the city.
Almost a third of people living in Bristol are renting privately and the city’s “extremely high” housing costs are affecting many. The Bristol Living Rent Commission has explored the housing crisis in detail in a 104-page report that sets out how rent controls could help.
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees and Councillor Tom Renhard, cabinet member for housing, have now sent a copy of the report to Michael Gove, the levelling up and housing secretary. But the city council appears unlikely to get the powers to bring in rent controls any time soon.
