South Londoners back rent control as costs surge. Rent hikes exceeding wages strain residents seeking stable housing.
Zoë Garbett wants Sadiq Khan to study rent control and fix the unaffordable rental market. She says rent control can lower prices.
Patrick Dunne rents in Kennington and says he wants rent controls for stability. His rent rose almost 40% in four years, but his wages didn’t keep up. Dunne feels insecure about his living situation.
Rent increases force people to move often, and he said it makes building a life hard. Another renter lives in a moldy Bromley flat and believes rent controls are essential because she cannot save due to high rent costs.
She pays £525, but her housemate is moving out soon. Her rent will increase to over £750 monthly, which will be almost half her income.
Sadiq Khan needs authority for rent control. In 2019, he supported rent controls and wanted a commission to design a system. The commission has not been created yet, and Keir Starmer’s government won’t grant Khan the power.
Khan’s spokesperson stated concerns about unaffordable rents and wants to make housing more affordable. Khan aims to work with others for homes.