As many as three-in-five landlords could leave the market if rent controls are introduced, a poll of over 1,000 landlords has found.

Figures released by the Residential Landlords Association (RLA) showed 60% of current landlords would consider exiting the sector if any proposals came into law.

RLA chair Alan Ward warned that proposals for rent controls would leave tenants worse off.

He described the idea that rent controls would lead to a fairer market as a ‘myth’ and said over 75% of landlords either froze or cut their rents in 2014.

“These results blow a hole through the myth that rent controls would be good for tenants,” he warned.

“At a time when tenants need more choice over where they live, state-controlled rents would choke off supply, increase rents and reduce quality. It would be history repeating itself.”

Ward said that increasing housing supply was a better way to solve the problem of rising rents in many areas of the country.

“The reality is that rent controls would leave many tenants paying more than they do at the moment.

“Rather than coming up with ideologically-driven ideas, proponents of rent controls need to address the root issues, namely the need to boost the supply of homes to rent.”