Sadiq Khan on collision course with Starmer over rent controls

Sadiq Khan on collision course with Starmer over rent controls


Todays other news
Northern cities are set to outpace the south for the...
A sustainable energy consultant gives tips that really work -...
The views of expert working for Stacks Property Search, a...


London Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan has returned to his demand for powers to control rents in the private sector, citing a new opinion poll to support his call.

This is despite speculation that he had been slapped down by party leader Sir Kier Starmer over exactly that issue 

At the end of last week Khan claimed that a new YouGov poll commissioned by his team at London’s City Hall showed that some 160,000 Londoners were falling behind on their rent payments, and some 24 per cent of private tenants – equivalent to some 650,000 people – were apparently struggling to meet rent payments. 

No definitions were given as to how they were struggling.

The poll also suggested that some 3,630 households were assessed as threatened with homelessness in London after receiving a Section 21 eviction notice last year.

Khan’s use of the data to push his demand for powers to impose rent controls comes just a month after a Financial Times report saying that the Labour Party nationally was rejecting such a move.

Khan first argued for rent controls in 2016; he has no authority to implement such controls but wants to be given increased powers over the private rental sector by the UK government.

Recently Khan proposed a “rent controls commission” to use a new register of landlords and rents to work out how existing rents should be gradually reduced and impose limits on rent rises between tenancies.

But the FT in late May said: “Senior party insiders told the Financial Times that Starmer’s office was not exploring introducing national rent controls or devolving related powers to mayors if elected.”

Labour in Wales has already rejected rent controls but is now flirting with the ideal once again via a consultation process. The Scottish Labour Party is in favour, and has backed the measures implemented in that country by the Scottish National Party and the Greens.

Share this article ...

Join the conversation: Login and have your say

Want to comment on this story? Our focus is on providing a platform for you to share your insights and views and we welcome contributions. All comments are screened using specialist software and may be reviewed by our editorial team before publication. Landlord Today reserves the right to edit, withhold or delete comments that violate our guidelines, including those that harass, degrade, or intimidate others. Users who post such content may be banned from commenting.
By commenting, you agree to our Commenting Terms of Use.
Recommended for you
Related Articles
The activist group wants far more tenant power than given...
The briefing, held this week, aimed to bring letting agents...
Councils must be accountable for their policing of private rental...
Your chance to quiz a top legal expert on the...
The tenant was in hospital when he was evicted illegally...
The controversial proposal is backed by the Welsh Government...
Growing arrears, falling yields and new laws make 2025 a...
Recommended for you
Latest Features
Northern cities are set to outpace the south for the...
A sustainable energy consultant gives tips that really work -...
The views of expert working for Stacks Property Search, a...
Sponsored Content

Send to a friend

In order to send this article to a friend you must first login. Click on the button below to login or sign up.

No one likes pop-ups ...
But while you're here