Labour was defeated at Westminster yesterday afternoon on proposals to bring in rent controls and mandatory longer tenancies.

In an Opposition Day debate, MPs were also asked to support a ban on letting agent fees.

Shadow housing minister Emma Reynolds told MPs that tenants faced “exorbitant rates”. She said a Labour government would cap rent increases, ban letting agent fees and legislate for three-year tenancies.

For the Government, Nick Boles said rent controls would be “idiotic” and said the coalition was already taking action against rogue landlords and “greedy letting agents”.

Labour lost by 276 to 225.

The full Labour motion read: “That this House recognises the private rented sector’s growing role in meeting housing need; notes that there are nine million people, including more than one million families with more than two million children, now renting privately; notes with concern the lack of stability and certainty that the sector provides to those who rent privately; further notes the increasing cost of renting and the unreasonable letting agent fees levied on tenants; calls on the Government to bring forward legislative proposals to reform the sector by banning letting agent fees being charged to tenants and making three-year tenancies the standard for those who rent their homes in the private sector; and further calls on the Government to act on unpredictable rent rises by prohibiting excessive rent rises during longer-term tenancies.”

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas tabled an amendment calling for five-year tenancies and “smart rent controls”, which was also defeated.

Lucas has also tabled an Early Day Motion in which she refers to the “extortionate” money tenants have to pay, and calling for a “living rent” commission to explore ways of bringing rent levels into line with the cost of living.

It can be found here:

http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2014-15/171