Lifting a ban on who can take part in council debates on housing could allow “mega landlords” to vote on rent controls, councillors have warned. Renters and landlords were recently barred from taking part in a Bristol City Council debate and vote on rent controls, but this could soon change.
Earlier in January, several councillors were “banished” from the council chamber during a debate on rent controls, after council lawyers warned they would have a financial interest in the issue. Councillors who are renters could benefit from the controls, while landlords could suffer.
Top council lawyer Tim O’Gara put forward a plan to get around these rules on financial interests in future debates on housing policy. He suggested giving all councillors a four-year blanket “dispensation” to debate and vote on housing issues, but his plan has caused some concerns.
