Tenant groups have laid into landlords as the Renters’ Rights Bill passes through the Lords.

London Renters’ Union tweeted to its followers that one landlord was taking £995 of a £1,600 monthly pension, with the prospect of further rent hikes. It posted: “Landlordism is a bottomless pit, draining more and more resources from our society. We need rent control now.”

The group was responding to a story in The Mirror quoting tenant Chris Dodson who lives in “endless fear” that his rent will be increased again after more than £2,000 in hikes in the past three years.

The 68-year-old explained: “Even if I was offered another property, I have no money to move or pay for those extras you need when moving.”

Rent rises

Peers across political parties have demanded more control over rent rises. Lord Best, a crossbench peer, has tabled an amendment to limit rises to Consumer Price Inflation or wage growth, whatever is lower, but which would allow landlords to reset the rent to the market rate every four years.

During the committee report stage in the House of Lords, Conservative peer Baroness Scott of Bybrook said the surge in rents beyond inflation had been driven by limited housing supply, and rising mortgage costs, maintenance expenses and property taxes.

She added: “Rather than making houses more affordable, this legislation risks increasing burdens on landlords, discouraging them from remaining in the rental market and ultimately reducing supply at a time of rapidly growing demand. In economic terms, this can only mean one thing: higher housing costs for renters.”

However, Government minister Baroness Taylor of Stevenage insisted that good landlords had nothing to fear from the reforms.

She told peers: “Our proposals will make sure that landlords have the confidence and support they need to continue to invest and operate in the sector.”

The amendments will be debated in the Lords on April 24 and 28, and May 6.

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