Labour rules out giving mayors power to impose rent controls – report – London Wallet

The Labour government has ruled out rubberstamping powers for regional mayors to impose rent controls on private tenancies, according to a report.

Speculation has surrounded the possibility of caps or freezes being introduced by the likes of London mayor Sadiq Khan, but according to the Evening Standard, the government has said it has “no plans whatsoever to devolve rent control powers”.

The newspaper also quotes a spokesperson from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) as saying that “there have been no conversations with the Mayor of London about introducing rent controls”.

Khan has in the past argued for a two-year freeze on private rents in the capital, but the Evening Standard said a spokesperson for the mayor confirmed that no discussions had been held on the topic, and added that rent controls were “not currently a priority for Mr Khan in his negotiations with ministers”.

The spokesperson for the MHCLG told the Evening Standard: “Lack of supply is fuelling the housing crisis, and we are taking action to boost housebuilding. We will work closely with the mayor and boroughs so we can increase housing delivery in London.”

Earlier this week, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) warned that rent controls “would be a disaster for tenants”.

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the NRLA, said: “All [rent controls] would do is choke off supply further, undermining what little choice tenants currently have when looking for somewhere to live.”