Islington Council declares 'private rent crisis'

Islington Council has declared the borough is in a state of 'private renting crisis' and is calling on the government to grant local authorities powers to impose rent controls. A majority of councillors voted on September 24 to commit the council to lobbying the Mayor of London and the Secretary of State for Housing for the authority to introduce 'long-term rent controls' and an emergency rent freeze.

Rising Rents and Housing Pressures

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The council's housing chief, Councillor Jason Jackson, stated that unaffordable rental costs were leading to an increase in residents seeking homelessness support or temporary accommodation. The Office for National Statistics reported that the average private rent in Islington reached £2,868 in August 2026, representing a 6.2 per cent annual increase. Councillor Michael O'Sullivan noted that ordinary people found it difficult to live in Islington without facing overcrowded or slum-like conditions. He also warned that some landlords might attempt to circumvent the recent abolition of Section 21 'no-fault' evictions by raising rents significantly to force tenants out.

The English Housing Survey from 2023/24 indicated that private renters allocate the largest proportion of their income to housing, averaging 34 per cent. The council has previously taken action against landlords for issues such as overcrowding, poor living conditions, and operating unlicensed properties. In 2020, two landlords were fined a total of £110,500 after 35 people were found living across three two-bedroom flats.

Calls for Devolved Powers

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Councillor O'Sullivan argued that rent caps were the solution and should be reintroduced, referencing a previous system where independent rent officers could set maximum 'fair rents'. However, private tenant Bill Mitton, who had previously experienced significant disrepair in his flat and a dispute with his landlord, suggested that rent controls alone might not address the entire problem. Mr Mitton stated that a comprehensive approach was needed, including addressing rent levels, housing supply, social housing, empty properties, and standards in rented accommodation, rather than solely focusing on rent controls.

Islington Council joins other local authorities such as Hackney, Brighton and Hove, Oxford, and Worcester in passing similar motions calling for rent control powers. However, the government has consistently opposed the introduction of rent caps. In July, Housing Secretary Angela Rayner stated that the Renters Rights Act, which came into effect on May 1 2026, had already enhanced tenant protections by abolishing no-fault evictions, capping rent increases to once per year, and limiting upfront rent demands to one month's rent. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has previously advocated for rent control powers to be devolved to City Hall, but the government has indicated no plans to do so.

Next Steps

The motion passed by Islington Council does not have immediate legal effect but contributes to ongoing pressure on ministers to reconsider devolving rent regulation powers to councils and the Mayor of London. The effectiveness of rent controls is a subject of debate, with proponents arguing for improved affordability and security for tenants, while critics suggest it could reduce rental supply and potentially lead landlords to seek alternative income recovery methods.