
The Fight for Rent Control
Law, Politics and the People
Paul Q. Watchman(Author)
Peter Robson(Editor)
Edinburgh University Press
Published on 30. April 2025
Book
Hardback
312 pages
978-1-3995-0559-8 (ISBN)
Description
This monograph looks at the various strands of policy and activities which produced the first residential Rent Act in 1915. It looks at the ways in which tenants were removed from the land in Ireland and Scotland leading to a strong aversion to landlords as a group. This is addressed in the way it appears in art, literature, song and poetry. It traces the ways in which actions of women-led tenants' groups before and during the First World War offered an alternative way for housing policy. Precisely how these actions linked with political and industrial forces are explored. The study concludes with how this legislation links with modern day housing policy issues.
Reviews / Votes
For those who are interested in women's contribution to the neglected area of property law history, this fascinating book offers a valuable account of the role of women in the radical fight for the Rent Acts'. -- Rosemary Auchmuty, University of Reading Paul Watchman's compelling account of the introduction of rent controls in 1915 covers a wide range of issues that are central to modern history. Watchman combines meticulous archival research with an eye for the larger picture, and his book will interest anyone seeking to understand the significant transformations of British social, economic and political life in the early twentieth century. -- Martin Daunton, University of Cambridge The Clydeside Rent strikes have been written about extensively, yet Paul Watchman brings a fresh perspective and vision to this important struggle. He deploys his legal expertise, and keen grasp of the social and political context to provide a comprehensive and nuanced account of the origins, course and consequences of the strikes. He writes with clarity and verve and his discussions of the cultural constructions of landlordism in popular culture and of the cultural and artistic legacies of the strikes are innovative and welcome. -- Eleanor Gordon, University of GlasgowMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
617 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-3995-0559-8 (9781399505598)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
04/2025
1st Edition
Edinburgh University Press
€220.99
Available for download
Persons
Paul Q. Watchman was Professor of Law at University of Glasgow Peter Robson was Professor of Law at the University of Strathclyde
Author
Editor
Professor of Social Welfare LawUniversity of Strathclyde
Content
Acknowledgements
An Introduction from the Editor
Peter Robson
1. Introduction
2. Landlord and Tenant Relationships in Glasgow 1850-1914
3. The Rent Strikes of 1915 in Context
4. Rent Increases and Rent Agitation
5. The Dominant Focus of Government
6. The Birth Pangs of a Policy on the Housing Crisis
7. The Struggle Comes to a Climax
8. The Emergence of the Rent Increase and Mortgage (War Restrictions) Act
9. The Final Countdown
Bibliography
Index
An Introduction from the Editor
Peter Robson
1. Introduction
2. Landlord and Tenant Relationships in Glasgow 1850-1914
3. The Rent Strikes of 1915 in Context
4. Rent Increases and Rent Agitation
5. The Dominant Focus of Government
6. The Birth Pangs of a Policy on the Housing Crisis
7. The Struggle Comes to a Climax
8. The Emergence of the Rent Increase and Mortgage (War Restrictions) Act
9. The Final Countdown
Bibliography
Index