Sadiq Khan pledges to build 6,000 ‘affordable’ homes and bring in rent controls

Sadiq Khan pledges to build 6,000 ‘affordable’ homes and bring in rent controls

9:53 AM, 8th April 2024, About 9 months ago 24

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London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, says he is the ‘renter’s champion’ and is committing to building 6,000 ‘affordable’ homes by 2030 with rents tied to the earnings of key workers.

Mr Khan was speaking at the launch of his third mayoral bid and will use powers he has already to cap the rent for these homes at one-third of the average wage of key workers.

The homes will be built by local councils and housing associations, who will identify suitable land for development.

There’s no indication of how much the house-building programme will cost.

The Conservative mayoral candidate poured scorn on the plans, saying: “Rent controls have never worked, and Sadiq knows it.”

‘Renters are at the sharp end’

Mr Khan said: “Renters are at the sharp end of the country’s housing crisis and need a mayor who’s prepared to fight their corner.

“I’ve been calling for the power to freeze rents in the capital for years, but the government has refused.”

He went on: “I’m not willing to stand by and do nothing so I commit to delivering new rent control homes across London, with 6,000 in the first phase.

“These will be homes for rent which key workers and middle-income Londoners can afford.”

Introduce more comprehensive property licensing reforms

The mayor also expressed his desire to collaborate with a future Labour government to introduce more comprehensive property licensing reforms.

This would empower councils to support renters in reclaiming up to two years of rent from landlords who violate the rules.

However, rent controls are not currently a national Labour Party policy.

‘Why is he just announcing it now?’

Conservative mayoral candidate Susan Hall said: “If Sadiq has been able to do this the whole time, why is he just announcing it now? Rent controls have never worked, and Sadiq knows it.

“His hair-brained plan would worsen the housing crisis for Londoners and shows he simply isn’t listening.

“I am listening to Londoners, and that’s why I would build more family-sized homes, to increase supply – and therefore bring down rents.”

The announcement comes after the Green Party launched its own local elections campaign with a push for more affordable homes.

The party is calling for more funding to help councils build homes, an end to the Right to Buy and the introduction of rent controls in places where the rental market is ‘overheated’.


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Cider Drinker

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10:04 AM, 8th April 2024, About 9 months ago

I think Khan will find that the homeless and those in temporary accommodation are at the sharp end of the housing crisis.

A crisis caused by the Conservatives and a weak Opposition.

6,000 new homes over 6 years will cost around £1billion to build if the land is free. That should be enough new homes to cover the houses lost to immigration over the course of a week or two.

Reluctant Landlord

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10:16 AM, 8th April 2024, About 9 months ago

I hope he gets burned in the next election. He has got to go. Surely Londoners can't be that stupid to re elect this idiot AGAIN?

Beaver

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10:24 AM, 8th April 2024, About 9 months ago

So rents are to be tied to the earnings of key workers. This was the mayor's last document defining what a key worker is.

https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/gla_housing_policy_practice_note_-_allocating_intermediate_homes_to_londons_key_workers_.pdf

So I'm guessing that the more you earn the more you pay in tax but also the more you pay in rent to subsidise people earning less than you.

Stella

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10:36 AM, 8th April 2024, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 08/04/2024 - 10:16
I fear that he will get in again he appears to be on course for victory with 44% of the vote.
We dont hear very much about Susan Hall the conservative candidate.
He is a disaster and with the prospect of a Labour government it will get worse.

Golfman

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11:54 AM, 8th April 2024, About 9 months ago

Khan can’t

Martin Roberts

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11:54 AM, 8th April 2024, About 9 months ago

With the fear of having to repay 2 year's rent it’s far too risky to be a landlord.

And I can think of at least one 'charity' who would be suggesting tenants 'give it a try, nothing to loose'.

moneymanager

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12:04 PM, 8th April 2024, About 9 months ago

The problem is that there's an expanding electorate that bears no or little financial consequence of their choices, the clearly 'non essential' mass of council tax payers will understand.

Golfman

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12:10 PM, 8th April 2024, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Martin Roberts at 08/04/2024 - 11:54Totally agreed; licensing costs are coming to many more of us - brutal costs on 99% of decent landlords.
If you’ve missed it - council tax for any vacancy is permissible now to be up to 250% of the normal rate. A month vacancy looking for a replacement working tenant could cost best part of a grand.
We are filthy rich landlords after all, no shame whatsoever in bleeding us dry. We are sitting ducks waiting for the next whipping. Can’t get enough…

Cider Drinker

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13:25 PM, 8th April 2024, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Golfman at 08/04/2024 - 12:10
I’m recovering a property after a less than desireable experience. It is costing 4 x the annual rent.

The ex tenant that trashed the property paid no council tax and left with 5 months of arrears on the rent. I get to pay 100% council tax.

I’m determined to have the last laugh. I need to cause the council to have £600 worth of expense.

Golfman

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13:51 PM, 8th April 2024, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 08/04/2024 - 13:25
Sadly the hey have access to your very expensive property and credit score. Sounds like you have something to lose vs the rats who left the mess behind…in a socialist society who do you think is going to win?

Anyone tried to evict recently? Most judges trawl for faults and entertain ridiculous claims from tenants to drive landlords insane. S21 / if well managed should be watertight against the whims of judges and yet good landlords pay the price today. As I’ve posted before, our properties are being nationalised before our very eyes. Everything that is a cornerstone of a decent society (property rights and supporting those who endeavour rightly) is going up in smoke,

I sadly can’t exit fast enough…

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