Ban on rental bidding wars is on the way - but will it work?

Renter groups say the plans are a positive step but warn more action will be needed to tackle unaffordable rents.

British Broadcasting CorporationWatchHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureTravelEarthVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS ElectionUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessWomen at the HelmFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureTravelEarthVideoLiveAudioWeatherNewslettersBan on rental bidding wars is on the way - but will it work?Getty ImagesWith renters in popular areas facing intense competition for homes, many are increasingly finding themselves pitted against each other in bidding wars.

Housing campaigners have welcomed plans for new laws to ban the practice in England - but are warning more action will be needed to tackle unaffordable rents.

Jason Phillips had been living in his flat in Crouch End, north London, for 10 years when his landlady decided to sell up.

He spent more than a year looking for somewhere new to rent in the area. But despite going to around 40 viewings and having a good salary as a business analyst, he kept losing out to other applicants.

In one case he was told a two-bed flat on the market for £1,800 month had gone for £2,500, after someone offered £700 over the asking price.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqjlxxejreeo

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