Sadiq Khan’s rent control push risks exacerbating London’s housing crisis

London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s persistent calls for rent controls face sharp opposition from critics warning that such policies could further restrict supply and drive up prices, highlighting a contentious debate over the city’s housing future.

Sadiq Khan’s relentless push for rent controls in London exposes his continued disconnect from sound economic principles and the realities of Britain’s housing market. Despite overwhelming resistance from the central government and widespread opposition within the political establishment, he persists in branding these policies as necessary, ignoring the detrimental effects they would have on investment and supply.

Khan’s calls for devolved rent control powers are politically motivated stunt, aimed at appealing to an overly simplistic narrative of tenant hardship, while ignoring the long-term damage such interference could inflict. His attempt to draw parallels with Edinburgh’s recent rent cap experiments fail to acknowledge the complexities and failures of such measures — Edinburgh’s policies are set to be abolished next year, a clear indication that rent controls are ineffective and counterproductive across the UK.

Throughout his tenure, Khan has championed misguided proposals like establishing a London Private Rent Commission, which critics rightly warn could stifle growth in the rental sector. His proposals for a landlord registry and rent caps amount to economic illiteracy, threatening to deter new investment and disincentivise landlords from participating in the market altogether. Instead of promoting affordable housing through genuine structural reforms, he relies on populist measures that risk shrinking the available rental stock, ultimately driving prices even higher.

The Labour government’s recent refusal to devolve rent control powers marks another capitulation to failed policy trends. Their outright rejection — coupled with dismissive language towards proposals aimed at regulating the private sector — reveals an inability to understand or address the root causes of housing unaffordability. Meanwhile, their focus remains on short-term political gestures rather than long-term market solutions.

Opponents argue that rent controls could worsen London’s housing crisis by discouraging landlords and reducing supply. The National Residential Landlords Association warns that such measures threaten to make the housing shortage even more severe. Politicians like the Conservative shadow housing secretary have criticized Khan’s rent control crusade as “ideologically driven and economically illiterate,” highlighting the risk of creating a market where rental homes become scarce and increasingly expensive.

Instead of doubling down on failed policies, the government should promote policies that encourage investment, reduce red tape, and increase housing supply. Khan’s apparent obsession with rent caps ignores the fundamental economic principle that a free market, with appropriate safeguards, is the most effective way to deliver affordable housing in the long run.

Khan’s rhetoric and continued campaigning for rent controls represent a political distraction—a desperate attempt to win votes amid mounting housing dissatisfaction. His promises of rent freezes and caps are empty gestures that will do nothing but impair London’s housing market. The push for greater regulation is a step backwards, risking limited supply and higher costs for tenants, rather than the meaningful reforms that could truly address London’s housing crisis. Ultimately, the pursuit of short-term political gain is incompatible with the long-term economic resilience this city needs.

Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
7

Notes:
🕰️ The narrative is recent, dated September 23, 2025. However, similar calls for rent controls by Sadiq Khan have been reported in the past, such as in 2023. ([propertyindustryeye.com](https://propertyindustryeye.com/london-mayor-reiterates-call-for-rent-freeze-to-combat-cost-of-living-crisis/?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score:
8

Notes:
🗣️ The report includes direct quotes from Sadiq Khan and other officials. No identical quotes were found in earlier material, suggesting potential originality. However, similar sentiments have been expressed in previous reports. ([propertyindustryeye.com](https://propertyindustryeye.com/london-mayor-reiterates-call-for-rent-freeze-to-combat-cost-of-living-crisis/?utm_source=openai))

Source reliability

Score:
6

Notes:
⚠️ The narrative originates from Property Industry Eye, a trade magazine. While it provides industry-specific news, its credibility may be questioned due to potential biases and lack of broader journalistic standards.

Plausability check

Score:
7

Notes:
✅ The claims about Sadiq Khan’s call for rent controls align with his previous positions. However, the report’s tone and language may be seen as biased, potentially affecting its objectivity.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary:
⚠️ The narrative presents recent developments regarding Sadiq Khan’s call for rent controls. While the content is current and includes direct quotes, the source’s reliability and potential biases warrant further scrutiny. ([propertyindustryeye.com](https://propertyindustryeye.com/london-mayor-reiterates-call-for-rent-freeze-to-combat-cost-of-living-crisis/?utm_source=openai))