HOUSING campaigners called on the incoming government to slam the breaks on rising rents by introducing rent controls today.
According to property website Rightmove, the typical rent outside London reached a record high of £1,316 a month in May — 7 per cent higher than last year.
Although rent rises in London had slowed down from an outrageous annual growth of 18 per cent in 2022 to 4 per cent, average prices still stand at a staggering £2,652 per month.
The inflation-busting rises soar above the current CPI index, which stands at 2 per cent.
North-east England has been among the hardest hit by rises, with average rents surging by 11 per cent from £808 to £894.
Rightmove said that overall, increases had eased from a previous peak of 12 per cent, but still remained higher than the “normal” level of 2 per cent seen before the pandemic.
Anny Cullum, Acorn policy officer, said the figures should serve as a stark warning to the incoming government.
“They have promised ‘change’ and now they need to deliver it,” she said.
“House building alone won’t solve the housing crisis or bring down rents as much as is needed; we need rent controls in the immediate, and a mass council house building programme to make sure everyone has a safe, secure and affordable place to call home.”
In its manifesto, Labour pledged to build 1.5 million homes in five years, 40 per cent of which should be affordable housing.
A survey from Foxtons estate agents suggests that landlords are unfazed by the electoral result, and that most think a Labour government would have no impact on their decision to grow or sell their portfolios.
It said 59 per cent expect a Labour government would make no difference, increasing to 76 per cent under the Tories.
A London Renters Union spokesperson said: “The government has given landlords free rein to hike rents above incomes while developers drip-feed new homes to keep prices high.
“The next government must slam the brakes on rising rents by introducing rent controls and investing in council housing.
“These measures would keep people in their homes and free up money that councils are currently forced to spend on emergency accommodation.”
