Landlords are no doubt breathing a huge sigh of relief that apparently John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, has killed off its ‘right to buy’ policy which could have meant that any long term tenants would be allowed to buy their rented homes at a favourably discounted prices.

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Labour has constantly attacked the BTL sector, along with all of the other parties, with McDonnell vociferously describing it as “the burgeoning buy-to-let market”, and sees their intended policies as the best way to make landlords provide homes fit for human habitation.

However it seems that after championing his policy, MacDonnell has been advised that the right to buy scheme where landlords by law will have to sell their properties to their tenants below the market value, as unworkable.

The Financial Times was told by a party aide: “I can see why John [McDonnell] was pushing it [the ‘right to buy’ tenant plan] but at the same time the practicalities got in the way”.

A spokesperson for a trade association said: “To suggest that private landlords should be selling their properties to their tenants at a below market rate arbitrarily set by politicians is ludicrous. Landlords had to pay market rates themselves. It’s only right that, if and when they decide to sell it, they can do so at market rates.

“If Labour does indeed wish to fix the housing crisis, they should focus on encouraging the Government to build more social housing, which is what the housing sector is lacking.

“John McDonnell’s assertions that landlords are looking for a quick buck and don’t maintain their properties shows a serious lack of knowledge about how the vast majority of landlords run their businesses. These good landlords should not be punished for the sins of the few who fail in their obligations to provide tenants with a decent home.”

Richard Merrick of PIMS, said: " It should not be forgotten that Labour is demanding rent controls be given to city councils.

"Before any election all parties promise the 'world' and 'may' sweep some policies 'under the carpet' for the time being, to unveil them in all their former glory in the future."