Member

We need clearer, more practical measures. Simply relying on tenants to take on the burden of challenging rents via a potentially intimidating tribunal process, which may still result in an unaffordable rent, lacks measures to sufficiently address what is an affordability crisis. Exploring the options, such as tying rent increases to a recognised index—the CPI, wage growth or the Bank of England base rate, as brilliantly described by my noble friend Lady Janke—would be a mechanism that would provide certainty, alongside the four-year period described by the noble Lord, Lord Best. This is a vital opportunity to improve the lives of renters. I think this is the most significant thing that we, as an amending body, can do to improve the Bill.