The article reports a dispute over rent controls, with activists accusing Housing Secretary Angela Rayner of misrepresenting the effect of the Renters Rights Act on rents. It says the London Renters Union argues rents are still rising sharply and that tribunal-based protections do not prevent market rents increasing, while Rayner has said rent controls are unnecessary and off the table.
The Housing Secretary has said the government is not considering rent controls in England, arguing that recent rental reforms are already affecting the market. The article also notes that Scotland’s temporary rent controls have expired, with new powers expected to allow designated rent control areas from 2027.
The National Residential Landlords Association has intensified its opposition to rent controls, arguing that they would reduce rental supply and harm tenants. It says government should instead prioritise enforcement against rogue landlords and ensure the Renters’ Rights Act can be implemented effectively through a functioning justice system.
A SpareRoom survey of 5,607 tenants found strong support for rent controls, even among many who accept that such measures could reduce landlord numbers and push rents higher over time. The article links tenant support to recent rent increases and affordability pressures, particularly in London, and argues that controls would not address the underlying supply shortage.
The article reports the NRLA chief executive’s response to Andy Burnham’s stance on housing, warning against rent controls and additional regulatory burdens in the private rented sector. It also notes the NRLA’s welcome for Angela Rayner’s return as Housing Secretary, alongside calls for stronger enforcement and practical implementation of the Renters Rights Act.
A Labour MP has introduced a Private Member’s Bill aimed at tightening regulation of short-term lets such as Airbnb. The proposal would give local councils powers to license all short lets, set health and safety standards, limit letting days, restrict them in certain areas, and penalise anti-social behaviour, with a Commons second reading scheduled for 11 September.
Auction activity has increased markedly, with more lots offered and sold across the UK in June, alongside a higher total value of property transacted. The article suggests some landlords may be reviewing portfolios in response to the Renters Rights Act, while buyer demand for auction stock remains steady.
Manchester councillors are urging the government to devolve powers to test private rent controls in the city, with the proposal framed as a potential pilot for a wider national scheme. The debate cites affordability pressures in the private rented sector and references the Renters Rights Act as part of the policy context.
Angela Rayner has returned to the role of Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, placing her in charge of implementing previously announced house-buying reforms and potentially any private rent controls linked to devolution. The article also notes her responsibility for local government reorganisation proposals and wider devolution measures.
Savills reports a widening gap between landlord and tenant expectations on rent levels in prime rental markets, with many landlords seeking increases to offset higher regulation, tax and borrowing costs. The firm says the Renters Rights Act is now a major concern for landlords, alongside the abolition of Section 21, and that this is contributing to rent growth and some stock moving to the sales market.
The chief executive of Generation Rent has stepped down after three years, saying the group helped secure the abolition of Section 21 no-fault evictions in England. The article frames this as a significant milestone for renters, while noting that the wider campaign for improved renting conditions continues.
