Calls for rent controls as London private rents soar above affordability threshold

Londoners are being “priced out” of renting in the capital, the London mayor has been warned as new data found tenants paying an average of 41.6% of their income on rent.

This is more than 10% cent higher than the affordability threshold that tenants should spend no more than 30% cent of their income on housing, set by the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

Rents across all 32 boroughs in London have been above this level for eight of the nine financial years ending 2016 to 2024, sparking concerns that renters on lower incomes are being pushed out of the capital.

The most expensive place to live for renters relative to income is Kensington and Chelsea, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) data, where the average rent amounts to 74 per cent of income.

Tenants in Westminster, Wandsworth, Camden and Hammersmith and Fulham are all paying over half their income in rent.

The London Borough of Havering has the lowest average income to rent ratio, at 30.5% - though this is still above the affordability threshold.

The data also showed that average rents in London have been between 38.5% and 57% of income since 2016. By comparison, the figure is between 19% and 36% in other regions of the UK.

Luke Taylor MP, Liberal Democrat London spokesperson, said: “London used to be a city full of opportunities for everybody but too many Londoners, from working families to young people, are being priced out as a result of eye-watering rental costs.

“The rental market has turned into the wild west with renters facing exorbitant rent increases and being thrown out with little notice after successive governments have dragged their feet in bringing an end to no-fault evictions.

“Labour must now act quickly and tackle this problem at its root, which is supply. That is why we’re calling on the Government to build 150,000 social homes a year nationwide and get on with renters’ reform to ensure everyone is able to live in and enjoy our great city.”

"London desperately needs rent controls"

Jae Vail, a spokesperson for the London Renters Union, told the LDRS: "London desperately needs rent controls. Housing costs have been too high for too long. Rip-off rents are forcing ordinary people to cut back on food, heating, and other essentials.

“Those of us who can no longer meet landlords’ extortionate demands are forced out of the communities that we have lived in for years or pushed into temporary accommodation.

“The government must follow the lead of many European countries and introduce rent control and invest in council housing so that everyone has a secure place to call home.

Rent control would bring down rents steadily and give renters more control over our lives.”

Sadiq Khan has previously called for the government to devolve rent control powers to his office. He has argued for the creation of a "London Private Rent Commission" which could impose caps on the amount that landlords can charge.

In 2022, he called for a two-year freeze on all private rents in the capital. However, he has not been granted these powers by the previous Conservative government or the current Labour one.

The renters’ rights bill, which is currently making its way through parliament, will mean that landlords will only be able to increase rents once per year to the market rate - but there is no official cap on the increase.

Khan said in May that until the capital has enough affordable homes, rent levels need to be controlled.

Last week it emerged that developers in London only started on 347 affordable homes from April to June this year, with concerns that the mayor will not hit his target of 17,800 starts between 2021 and 2026.

The mayor's spokesperson said: “The previous government’s disastrous legacy of underinvestment and indifference towards social and affordable housing, low economic growth and high interest rates has left many Londoners suffering the consequences.

“The mayor is doing everything possible through his Affordable Homes Programme and London Plan to deliver the housing that Londoners need, with plans for homes with rents capped to the income of key workers - and he’s consistently fought the corner of London’s private renters, calling for better rights and protections, including stronger action against unscrupulous landlords who fail to ensure their properties meet safety standards.

“Sadiq welcomes efforts to address rental issues through the renters’ rights bill and will continue working hand in hand with government, as well as boroughs and housing sector partners across the capital, to build a fairer and better London for everyone.”

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government was contacted for comment.