The Bristol Living Rent City Commission is investigating what is currently happening in private renting in Bristol and how policy could respond better to the affordability problems.

The Commission’s investigation includes student housing and it wants to hear views on rent control policies and what sort of rent control might be effective in the city. However, it is important to point out that the city council does not currently have the power to introduce rent control in Bristol. 

The Commission stated: ‘The responses to this survey will help shape the city council’s approach to future discussions with national government in Westminster. Rent control policies can achieve different things and have different designs. Different approaches to rent control come with different benefits and carry different risks.

‘The survey closes on 29 December 2022. Once you have completed the survey your anonymous responses will be looked at by researchers at the University of Bristol, who are partners in this project, and by our commissioners. A summary of the overall results from the survey will be part of the commission’s report.’