Average monthly private rents in London increased by 32 per cent between 2012 and 2019[1] Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has called for more powers to cap rents in the capital.[2] This view was adopted by the Labour party who pledged to cap rent rises for private tenants during the 2019 general election.[3] Recent polling shows the popularity of controls: 68 per cent of Londoners are in support,[4] and only 4.4 per cent of those aged 18-35 opposed rent controls.[5]
Read about more about rent controls.
[1] Valuation Office Agency, Average Private Rents, Borough, https://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/average-private-rents-borough, (accessed 30 October 2019).
[2] Agbonlahor, W, Rent Control: London Mayor Sadiq Khan calls for more powers, 19 July 2019, www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-49020361, (accessed 30 October 2019).
[3] BBC, General election 2019: Labour vows to cap rent rises for private tenants, 25 November 2019, www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2019-50540436, (accessed 25 November 2019).
[4] Greater London Authority, Mayor to develop ‘rent control’ proposals, 23 January 2019, www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/to-tackle-affordability-crisis, (accessed 8 November 2019).
[5] Niemietz, K., Rent controls: popular but wrong, IEA, 5 January 2017, https://iea.org.uk/rent-controls-popular-but-wrong/, (accessed 2 December 2019).