Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what progress he has made on developing a model for rent review clauses which are index-linked to inflation.

We are continuing to work with key partners, including the Competition and Markets Authority, to ensure that the clauses in the model residential tenancy agreement provide the right protections and an appropriate balance between the rights of landlords and tenants who choose to use the agreement. In that respect we are looking at the merits of index linked rent review clauses. We aim to publish the model in the summer when our discussions with partners are finalised, so landlords and tenants can, with confidence, use the agreement.

I would note that the model tenancy agreement is a voluntary approach. It is in contrast to HM Opposition's plans for the re-introduction of statist rent controls, which would destroy investment in the private rented sector. The interests of tenants are best served by avoiding excessive regulation which would ultimately force up rents and reduce supply and choice.