The government announced new measures aimed at addressing poor-quality rental housing and increasing council ownership of properties. Prime Minister Andy Burnham outlined plans to enable local authorities to seize rented homes from landlords who fail to carry out necessary repairs, following prior warnings to improve their properties. The measures also include powers for councils to take control of vacant properties and convert them into public housing stock as part of a broader effort to restore council housing levels.
Burnham, speaking at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, criticized absentee landlords who receive rental payments through the benefits system but neglect property upkeep. He emphasized the health risks posed by substandard homes and compared tolerating such living conditions to allowing the sale of unsafe food products. “We don’t let people sell food which damages health, so why allow it with homes?” Burnham said, signaling the government’s intent to empower communities by reclaiming control over housing standards.
Under the proposed approach, landlords would be given warnings to improve properties in poor condition. If ignored, councils would be supported by legislation to acquire the homes. The government also intends to promote new council housing by facilitating construction on unused public land and removing the right-to-buy scheme for newly built properties, although current owners would remain unaffected.
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner announced additional initiatives aimed at protecting leaseholders. She pledged to introduce a cap on administrative fees charged by estate, letting, and property management agents, which she described as excessive and exploitative. Rayner highlighted cases where leaseholders were charged hundreds of pounds for routine permissions, such as owning a pet or changing front doors, and confirmed plans to establish an independent regulator to oversee housing management agents.
Industry representatives expressed cautious support for the focus on improving housing conditions but called for careful implementation. Timothy Douglas, head of policy at Propertymark, stressed the importance of proportionate measures recognizing individual circumstances and advocated for better use of existing council powers rather than adding new legislation. Douglas noted that a forthcoming registration system for rental properties, scheduled to begin in December, would help local authorities target enforcement actions more effectively.
Burnham also committed to reducing barriers to homeownership by lowering the deposit requirements, aiming to make buying a home more accessible for individuals without parental support.
These proposals come amid ongoing concerns over housing quality, affordability, and tenant protections, reflecting the government’s intent to balance regulatory intervention with support for responsible landlords and communities.