Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has definitively ruled out the introduction of rent controls or a rent freeze in England, stating that the government is not pursuing such measures. The decision comes despite Prime Minister Andy Burnham having previously called for a freeze on private sector rents in 2023, citing the need to protect households during the cost-of-living crisis. Ms Rayner indicated that the government believes these policies are not currently the way forward, expressing concerns that they could detrimentally affect the private rented sector.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Ms Rayner highlighted the recent implementation of the Renters' Rights Act in May 2026 as a key government intervention. This legislation, which affects an estimated 11 million people in privately rented homes, allows landlords to increase rents only once a year, with increases needing to reflect the property's 'open market rent'. The Housing Secretary asserted that this Act is already 'having a significant impact on the market' by empowering renters.
The move has drawn criticism from opposition parties. Green Party leader Zack Polanski took to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to lambast the decision, writing that the Labour government was 'demonstrating that they have no interests in supporting struggling people in this country – but will always back the interests of the powerful and wealthy.' London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has also consistently urged ministers to introduce a rent cap in the capital. Conversely, landlord organisations have welcomed the government's stance, arguing that rent controls could prompt more property owners to exit the sector, thereby reducing the overall supply of available homes.
Ms Rayner also addressed the government's ambitious target of building 1.5 million new homes by the end of the current Parliament in 2029. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, she acknowledged that higher construction costs have made this goal more challenging. Despite the difficulties, she affirmed her commitment to the target, stating, '1.5 million homes is a difficult target. It was when I made the target, but I’m going to keep the target, and I’m not going to be defeated.'
The debate around rent controls is not unique to England. Temporary controls were imposed in Scotland in October 2022, though these expired last year. New Scottish legislation is expected to enable ministers to designate rent control areas, with a system allowing councils to limit increases on some properties to a maximum of 6% anticipated to begin by 2027. Vanessa Hale, chief executive of Real Estate:UK, praised the Housing Secretary's confirmation, stating it was 'excellent news for the housing sector' and reiterated the organisation's view that increasing housing supply, rather than introducing deterrents to investment, is the solution to improving affordability.