Government ends London rent control speculation

Housing minister Robert Jenrick writes to London Mayor Sadiq Khan in response to his draft London Plan
Written By:
Tom Bill, Knight Frank
1 minute to read

Housing minister Robert Jenrick has written to London Mayor Sadiq Khan in response to his proposed London Plan, a document that sets out the development and planning strategy for the capital.

Jenrick addresses topics that include the delivery of housing, affordability, planning and supply.

The minister also covers the topic of rent controls and appears to end speculation they will be introduced. Sadiq Khan has called for new powers to cap rents and has made it a central pledge in his campaign for re-election to City Hall.

The letter from Jenrick states: “This challenging environment is exacerbated by your empty threats of rent controls, which by law you cannot introduce without Government consent. As we all know, evidence from around the world shows that rent controls lead to landlords leaving the market, poorer quality housing and soaring rents for anyone not covered by the controls.”