The partner at Moore Blatch Solicitors in Southampton said: “[Labour’s proposal] risks creating a supply shortage, which in turn either drives up rents or, if prevented by government legislation, drives down standards.
“History shows that government intervention in controlling rents only damages investment in the market.”
Launching his party’s local and European election campaign in Redbridge, London, Labour leader Ed Miliband said a future Labour government would cap rent increases, as well as scrap letting fees to estate agents to give tenants a “fairer deal”.