Labour council wants rent controls in London borough

A London Labour council wants to introduce rent controls to its borough.

The South London Press reports that Lambeth councillors have voted through a 'Lambeth Living Rent' motion calling for the power to establish and enforce local rent controls.

The council has no power to control rents but wants government agreement for it to do so.

The proposal actually came from a Green Party councillor but was backed by Labour as well.

Paul Gadsby, Lambeth council’s cabinet member for housing, is quoted by the paper as saying: “I backed this motion because it supports the work we are already doing to protect tenants’ rights which has included expanding resources dedicated to the private sector and publicly calling for rent controls to be considered.

“We are taking a tougher line on hitting rogue landlords with heavy fines as well as naming and shaming them. Prior to this motion, we had already committed to a wider consultation with residents on our next steps for the private rented sector. I am pleased the Greens are now fully backing our approach.

“More generally, it is clear the high costs of rent as a result of our broken housing market are unaffordable for all but high earners. Hardest hit are the younger generation, women, people from low income backgrounds and [minority] communities.”

You can read the full report here.