But Alan Ward, chairman of the Residential Landlords Association, says that while the idea of rent controls may seem "attractive", they would be a "disaster".
"All experience of them shows that they lead to landlords cutting investment or quitting the market, reducing both quality and choice for tenants. The way to moderate rents is to encourage investment and boost supply," he said.
"There are already well over 400 regulations affecting the private rented sector, and the actions of successive governments is raising the cost of renting.
"The problem is not about a lack of regulations but proper enforcement of them, and we support local authorities in their efforts to root out criminal landlords."
A spokesman for the Department of Communities and Local Government said: "This government is committed to creating a bigger, better private rented sector, with up to £10bn in government-backed guarantees to build more quality homes for rent.
"We are doing this without the need for excessive state regulation that would push up prices and make it far harder for people to find somewhere to rent.