Sadiq Khan’s ideological aversion to profit is blocking London housebuilding Opinion Just as measures to stimulate the housebuilding sector are being warmly received, Sadiq Khan is undermining efforts with talk of rent caps, writes Andrew Teacher.
Chaos: Now Downing Street rules out rent freeze after backlash over ‘reckless’ rumours Property Downing Street has ruled out a rent freeze just hours after the Chancellor refused to distance herself from the policy while speaking in the Commons. The apparent kite flying sparked 24 hours of panic among residential landlords and economists, who dubbed the rumoured policy a would-be “disaster”. Reeves had reportedly been considering the policy to [...]
Reeves rent freeze: How did Chancellor turn to a Mamdani-style policy controversy? Property Reports of plans in Downing Street for a rent freeze came as a shock after a housing minister said Labour opposes the policy. Felix Armstrong explores why rent controls stoke so much controversy, from New York to Sweden. Rumours that Rachel Reeves is considering slapping a freeze on private rents shocked the property market on [...]
Reeves rent freeze proposal dubbed ‘disaster’ for renters and landlords April 28, 2026 Rachel Reeves has fuelled rumours she is considering a rent freeze as leading economists said the policy would be a “disaster” for renters and landlords. Addressing the Commons on Tuesday afternoon, the Chancellor was asked by a Labour MP to implement a freeze on private rents. “I will do everything in my power and use [...]
Starmer caps ground rents after fears of Rayner-led rebellion January 27, 2026 Sir Keir Starmer has introduced a cap on ground rents following fears of an MP rebellion led by the former deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. The Prime Minister announced the new move – which will cap ground rents at £250 a year for leaseholders in England and Wales – on TikTok, saying it will “make [...]
‘Too late for rent caps’: East London rents jump 50 per cent since 2019 August 5, 2024 Rental costs in London have skyrocketed over the past five years, and new data has shown that rental growth in the city’s historically-affordable east has risen the fastest. Prices have risen by around 50 per cent in Shoreditch, Bethnal Green and Haggerston to pass an average of £1,000 per month, according to data from Spareroom. [...]