In the 20th Century, successive UK governments understood rent control measures to be essential to provision of affordable homes. From 1917, governments legislated for England & Wales accordingly. Both World Wars saw comprehensive rent freezes to prevent exploitation during housing shortages. But our current, market-based system leaves limited rent control mechanisms remaining for only those renters who have held the same tenancy since before the 1988 Act came into effect.
1917
Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act
The first major rent control legislation, introduced during World War l, to prevent landlords from exploiting wartime housing shortages.
Key Measures Froze rents at pre-war levels, restricted evictions, applied to properties under £35 annual value in London and £26 elsewhere.
1920
Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act
Extended rent controls post-WWI and raised the rateable value thresholds for controlled properties.
Key Measures Increased thresholds to £70 in London and £52 elsewhere, allowed some rent increases for improvements.
1923
Rent and Mortgage Interest Restrictions Act
1939
Rent and Mortgage Interest Restrictions Act
Reintroduced comprehensive rent controls at the outbreak of World War II, to prevent wartime profiteering.
Key Measures Froze rents at September 1939 levels, extended controls to previously decontrolled properties and strengthened eviction protection.
1946
Furnished Houses (Rent Control) Act
Extended rent control to furnished lettings for the first time, addressing post-war housing shortages.
Key Measures Created rent tribunals for furnished properties, established “reasonable rent” concept and provided security of tenure.
1957
Rent Act 1957
Major decontrol legislation that removed rent restrictions from many properties, leading to the exploitation and intimidation of tenants by unscrupulous landlords.
Key Measures Decontrolled properties over £40 rateable value, removed security of tenure for many tenants and allowed ‘market rents’ on vacant possession.
1968
Rent Act
Extended rent regulation to furnished lettings and consolidated previous rent control legislation.
Key Measures Brought furnished tenancies under the regulated tenancy regime; unified rent control system; strengthened harassment and eviction protections.
1974
Rent Act
Strengthened tenant protection and extended rent regulation to previously exempt categories.
Key Measures: Extended protection to tenants of resident landlords; increased penalties for harassment; expanded grounds for possession proceedings.
1977
Rent Act
Major consolidation. This legislation brought together previous rent control legislation together into a single, comprehensive framework.
Key Measures Consolidated regulated tenancy system, established statutory succession rights, created a comprehensive fair rent framework still in use today, in older tenancies.
1988
Housing Act
Legislation that largely ended rent control for new tenancies, introducing assured and assured shorthold tenancies.
Key Measures Created assured shorthold tenancies with ‘market rents’, ended new regulated tenancies, introduced rent assessment committees for assured (housing association) tenancies.
1996
Housing Act
Made assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) the default form of private tenancy, further reducing rent control mechanisms.
Key Measures ASTs became the automatic default, simplified possession procedures, maintained limited rent challenge rights for tenants.
2016
Housing and Planning Act
Introduced standardized rent setting measures for social housing, including mandatory rent reductions.
Key Measures 1% annual rent reductions for social housing (2016-2020), new rent setting framework for social landlords, pay-to-stay provisions.
2020
Coronavirus Act 2020 & Related Measures
Temporary rent control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, including eviction moratoriums and weak rights to negotiate rent payment deferrals.
Key Measures Extended notice periods for evictions, temporary ban on evictions, right to negotiate rent payment holidays, with protection for commercial tenants.
today
‘the rent easts first…’
…as Eric Sirota wrote. He was referring to the situation in USA but the same is true here in London. In 2025, rents consume a disproportionately high percentage of income, compromising our access to other basic needs. As academic lawyer Dr Jessie Hohman said
‘It is quite clear, we are in breach of our UN obligations….It is possible to take policy steps to protect the most vulnerable and marginalised but the UK government has decided not to do that.’
History tells us how things could be very different and much better. As part of our right to an adequate standard of living, we want and need fairly-priced homes. Now, let’s stand together and fight for adequate housing; our human right.
