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London Mayor Sadiq Khan has again called for devolved rent control powers to curb soaring rents, facing strong opposition from government and critics alike, as the debate over housing affordability heats up amidst the capital’s ongoing housing crisis.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has once again called for the introduction of rent controls in the capital, placing this demand at the forefront of his latest devolution reform proposals. Khan urges the UK Government to grant City Hall greater authority to cap rent increases, a move he insists is necessary to tackle the escalating unaffordability of private rents for London\u2019s 2.6 million tenants. Speaking to the London Assembly, Khan questioned why London should not have similar powers to those previously granted to Edinburgh, rhetorically asking, \u201cWhy can\u2019t we have what Edinburgh has?\u201d This call comes despite Scotland\u2019s recent decision to scrap its rent caps from April 2025 following a surge in rents and criticism over the policy\u2019s effectiveness.<\/p>\n
Khan\u2019s longstanding campaign for rent control dates back several years. In 2019, he published a report proposing the establishment of a London Private Rent Commission tasked with implementing and enforcing rent controls, including capping rent increases and providing open-ended tenancies to enhance housing stability. At the time, Khan highlighted that renting a one-bedroom flat in London had become more expensive than purchasing a three-bedroom house elsewhere in England, underscoring the severity of the housing affordability crisis. Throughout his tenure, Khan has consistently pushed for these reforms, including proposing a two-year freeze on private rents in 2022 to provide immediate relief for tenants struggling under rapidly rising costs. His efforts, however, have been repeatedly rejected by both Conservative and Labour governments, notably with the new Labour Government ruling out any plans to devolve rent control powers to London in August 2024.<\/p>\n
Opposition to Khan\u2019s rent control proposals remains strong and spans across political lines. Critics argue that rent controls could inadvertently exacerbate the very issues they intend to solve by discouraging investment in the private rented sector and reducing the overall supply of rental properties. The National Residential Landlords Association cautions that such measures could worsen the housing crisis, especially given the already severe shortage of rental homes. James Cleverly, the Shadow Housing Secretary, described Khan\u2019s proposals as \u201cideologically driven and economically illiterate,\u201d warning that rent controls would push more rental providers out of the market and make renting in London even more expensive.<\/p>\n
The Government has been explicit in its rejection of rent control in London and beyond. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government reaffirmed the government’s position, stating that rent controls will not be allowed in London or elsewhere but emphasised plans to empower tenants through the Renters\u2019 Rights Bill, which aims to offer protection against excessive rent hikes and improve housing security.<\/p>\n
Despite these challenges and official opposition, Sadiq Khan remains committed to his campaign. The Mayor\u2019s office stated that he is focused on collaborating with the Government, London boroughs, and housing associations to deliver more affordable homes and address the plight of renters. Nevertheless, the debate over rent controls in London is likely to continue, reflecting the broader tensions between housing affordability and market regulation in one of the world’s most expensive cities.<\/p>\n