Angela Rayner, the Housing Secretary, has confirmed that the government is not currently pursuing rent controls for England. Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Rayner argued that the Renters’ Rights Act, which took effect in May, is already positively influencing the housing market. She noted that previous attempts at rent caps in other parts of the UK failed to reliably lower prices for tenants.
While Prime Minister Andy Burnham previously advocated for rent freezes while serving as mayor of Greater Manchester during the height of the cost-of-living crisis, Rayner stated that the strategy has shifted. She believes the current legislation empowers renters sufficiently without the need for strict price caps.
The Renters’ Rights Act aims to improve stability for 11 million private tenants by banning fixed-term tenancies, restricting eviction grounds, and limiting rent hikes to once annually based on market value. Despite pressure from figures like London Mayor Sadiq Khan and the Green Party’s Zack Polanski to implement caps, the government remains focused on its existing framework.
Separately, Rayner addressed the ambitious goal of constructing 1.5 million new homes by 2029. She admitted that rising construction expenses have made this objective increasingly difficult to achieve, though she emphasized that the administration remains committed to reaching it.
