Oxford City Council motion backs private tenants rent controls

Oxford City Council has joined a growing number of local authorities to call for more powers

A council has backed calls for local authorities to be given powers to control rents in the private sector.

Oxford City Council unanimously passed the motion proposed by Green councillors Lucy Pegg and Chris Jarvis.

The authority is joining a national Green Party campaign to introduce rent controls on private tenancies.

Labour councillor Ed Turner raised concerns, such as exploitation of loopholes and discrimination against tenants, but also voted for the motion.

Studies have shown Oxford is one of the most expensive cities in the UK to live, with housing costs being the single biggest contributor.

'Time to act'

By approving the motion, the council will "publicly campaign for local authorities", including London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Bristol City Council, to be given powers to introduce rent controls.

Ms Pegg, deputy leader of the Green group, said "the spiralling costs of housing" could not be tackled "without giving renters the protection they deserve".

"For far too long, the private rented sector operates as a free-market wild west where landlords cash in and tenants lose out," she said.

Mr Jarvis, who seconded the motion, said the government "must recognise that it cannot keep letting tenants be shafted through rip-off rents for substandard accommodation".

"Oxford City Council is now a part of those calls. It's time for them to act. It's time for them to introduce rent controls," he said.

Mr Turner said he supported the motion but added he was "a tiny bit anxious" about a few potential challenges.

"Recent experience elsewhere has been a bit more mixed and in particular any loopholes will be ruthlessly exploited. So that's certainly a challenge," he said.

"One of the other ones … is around potential unintended consequences in terms of discrimination... against tenants for example of Black and Asian minority and ethnic heritage.

"I think alongside any rent control measures, you need to have some quite robust standing forcible tenants rights."

Labour put forward an amendment calling for more investment in social housing which was accepted.

The government's Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has been contacted for a comment.

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