Renters and landlords were told they should not speak in a Bristol City Council debate on rent controls. Council lawyers said they would have a financial interest in a key vote on whether Bristol should introduce controls on how much landlords can charge for rents.
Around 16 councillors were “banished” from the chamber in City Hall on Tuesday, January 10, ahead of a debate on bringing in rent controls for the private rental sector, as well as new protections for tenants. The move was criticised as “concerning and bizarre”.
Despite the exodus, a majority of councillors backed calls for new rent controls in Bristol, although the council does not currently have the legal power to introduce them. Several other new measures were also agreed, which the council does have the power to bring in.
