London’s Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan has claimed credit for many of the measures contained in the government’s Fairer Private Rented Sector White Paper - and made it clear he wants the new Prime Minister to give him more power.
Speaking in a debate about the White Paper at the London Assembly, Khan suggests the government has copied his ideas for the scrapping of Section 21 eviction powers, reform to possession grounds, open-ended tenancies, a landlord register and a property portal aimed at the rental sector.
He advocated such measures as far back as 2019, he claimed.
But he wants the new Prime Minister, to be named next month, to go further, with landlords being obliged to pay tenants’ moving costs if an eviction takes place for the convenience of the property owner.
He also wants extended notice periods and to be given the power to freeze rents for two years.
Khan told the assembly: “Crucial elements are missing from the White Paper proposals if all renters, particularly those who are the most vulnerable and households with children, are to truly see the benefit of these reforms.
“These include extended notice periods, tenant relocation payments and freezing rent for the next two years, particularly during this cost-of-living crisis.
“It is really important whoever becomes the next Conservative Leader and therefore our Prime Minister commits to deliver on these as soon as possible.”
Khan and other Labour Mayors have no powers to controls rents in the private sector, but the London Mayor has repeatedly called for additional responsibility in this way.
And he told the assembly: “Give those in charge of the Londons, the Manchesters, the Bristols, Oxford and Cambridgeshire, where there are all issues around the cost of living, particularly in relation to private rents, the power to do more in this area in relation to freezing rents, rent controls, the quality of housing and so forth.”
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