# Extend rent controls to small shops

> “We will also extend rent controls to small shop premises, giving councils the power to prevent landlords from hiking up the price and driving out independent retailers.”
>
> — Zack Polanski, Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, Green Party of England and Wales; Press release (Green Party), quote from Zack Polanski, 23 April 2026

- **Status:** Promised
- **Status ladder:** Promised → In plan → Legislated → Funded → Delivering → Delivered
- **Policy area:** [Transport & economy](https://ledgergov.uk/promises/area/transport-and-economy)
- **Speaker:** [Zack Polanski](https://ledgergov.uk/actor/zack-polanski), Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales
- **Party:** [Green Party of England and Wales](https://ledgergov.uk/actor/green-party)
- **Made on:** 23 April 2026
- **Where:** Press release (Green Party), quote from Zack Polanski
- **Cost a year:** No costing published
- **Who it affects:** Small independent shops that rent their premises, and their landlords; councils would get the power
- **When:** Not stated
- **Paid for by:** Not stated when it was announced
- **Quote source:** https://greenparty.org.uk/2026/04/23/greens-announce-three-step-plan-to-boost-high-streets-across-the-country/ (checked word for word at its source on 20 October 2026; Quoted for reporting; rights stay with the publisher)
- **Last updated:** 20 October 2026
- **Card:** https://ledgergov.uk/promise/uk-green-shop-rent-controls-2026

## Where it stands

The Green Party is not in government, so the card stays at Promised. He said it when he and Hannah Spencer MP announced the party's three-step plan for high streets on a visit to a high street in Manchester. The release does not say how the controls would work or by when.

## Timeline

- 23 April 2026, Promised: Zack Polanski pledges to extend rent controls to small shop premises

## About the cost

No cost was given in the cited source.

## Sources

- [Green Party: Greens announce three-step plan to boost High Streets across the country (23 Apr 2026)](https://greenparty.org.uk/2026/04/23/greens-announce-three-step-plan-to-boost-high-streets-across-the-country/)

## Checks

- Checked automatically by AI Journalist, not yet verified by an editor.
- Checked by AI Journalist (automated) on 20 October 2026.

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