Campaigning for "wide-ranging rent controls" in London seems an eminently sensible decision for a mayor hoping for re-election, especially as this is an area on which previous Labour propaganda has been particularly weak (Khan to put rent control plan at heart of mayoral re-election bid, 24/01/19). Khan`s plan, of course, will "not find favour with the Conservative government". Why would it, when 309 Tory MPs in 2016 voted against Labour`s amendment to the Housing and Planning Bill, which would have placed "a duty on landlords to ensure their properties were fit for human habitation", with 72 of them registered as deriving income from property of over £10,000 a year?
When the Tories have to adopt such a ludicrous argument against rent controls as them leading to landlords being unable "to afford to maintain properties", and having to sell up, Khan must know he is on to a winner! Capping rents, however, does little to address the problem of many rents being at far too high a level already. Legislation is needed, both to help local councils deal with "rogue landlords", as requested by Brent council (Letters, 23/01/19), and to ensure rents nationwide are compatible with the condition and position of the properties. If housing inspectors have to be employed, with the power to place rented properties in bands with each band possessing a maximum rent, so be it!
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