Zack Polanski, the leader of the Green Party, has called for a three-year “emergency brake” on private rent increases, as party members gather in Brighton for their annual conference.
Speaking on 2 October 2026, Mr Polanski proposed a new national cap that would limit annual rent hikes to whichever is lowest: CPI inflation, average wage growth, or a hard limit of 2%. The move is intended to provide immediate relief to tenants across the UK who are facing record-high housing costs.
The proposal comes at a significant time for the Green leader, who is currently contesting the Holborn and St Pancras by-election scheduled for 8 October. The seat was previously held by former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Impact on Chichester renters
The debate over rent controls holds particular weight for residents in Chichester.
Local housing data for August 2026 highlights the scale of the affordability gap in the district. The average monthly private rent in Chichester has reached £1,333, with renters now spending an average of 56% of their median salary on housing costs. The proposed 2% cap would represent a significant intervention in the local market.
Government rejection of rent controls
Despite the Green Party’s push for an “emergency brake”, the Labour government has maintained its opposition to any form of rent capping. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has previously argued that rent controls could lead to a reduction in the supply of rental properties and ultimately prove detrimental to tenants.
The government’s position remains that increasing housing supply is the primary solution to the affordability crisis. In formal responses to Parliamentary questions, ministers have consistently suggested that market-wide caps could discourage landlords from maintaining properties or staying in the sector.
Mr Polanski’s proposed “triple lock” style cap is designed to challenge this stance by tying housing costs directly to the economic reality of tenants’ wages. The Green Party argues that without such interventions, renters in high-demand areas like Chichester will continue to be priced out of their communities.
