The Renters’ Rights Bill will discourage landlords from renting out their properties and raise rents, according to Talk TV presenter and private landlord, Cristo Foufas (main image).

During a debate on Jeremy Vine’s Channel 5 show, Foufas argued that more protection for renters’ rights was a bad thing.

“That is so perverse,” he told viewers. “What controls like this tend to do is…because landlords have fewer protections themselves, it means that they put the rent up to start with in order to protect themselves long term.”

Fellow guest, radio host Jess Davies, argued that rents were already sky high. Foufas countered: “So you want a policy that makes them higher?”

During the debate, she suggested that fewer landlords in this country would mean that instead of having multiple homes, people could buy a home.

Track record

The programme went on to discuss a new poll for the Daily Mail, which has revealed that 61% of voters are dissatisfied with Sir Keir Starmer’s track record after his first five months in power.

“It’s the most disastrous start to any new government in history…it has been terrible policy after terrible policy – bringing in the inheritance tax for farmers…after that horrific budget, the economy is actually shrinking,” said Foufas.

The outspoken TV host has previously argued against other Labour policies including the rise in CGT and stamp duty for landlords.

He worries that landlords won’t enter the market, resulting in fewer rentals and higher rents, while other landlords will sell, also resulting in fewer rentals and higher rents. He said on x: “The only landlords who’ll enter the market are massive banks/corporations. They’ll trim costs to the bone and want to recoup stamp duty with higher rents.”

Pictures: Channel 5