So, there we have it. The results are in, and Sir Keir Starmer is the UK’s first Labour prime minister since 2010. After weeks of campaigning, Labour has secured a huge parliamentary majority, with a manifesto set to bring about sweeping change.
One of the main themes of their campaign has been addressing the housing challenges facing the country, with new policy pledges geared towards reforming the sector. As we continue to navigate a housing crisis, it’s vital that housing is high on the agenda for the Labour Party.
Here, we look at their proposals around some key areas in the housing sector, so you know what to potentially expect in the coming years.
Private renting
Labour has made numerous promises to overhaul the regulation of the private rental sector. The manifesto states that they will immediately abolish Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, enabling private renters to challenge unreasonable rent increases.
They also aim to raise standards across the private rented sector by taking “decisive action to improve building safety, including through regulation”.
Across the Party, there are several vocal proponents of rent controls, including Sadiq Khan and Andy Burnham. While the manifesto states that the Party will empower renters to “challenge unreasonable rent increases”, the details on this are a little thin. So watch this space!
Housing supply
Also mentioned in the manifesto is that they aim to build 1.5 million new homes over the next parliament as part of the Kickstart Economic Growth mission. Their goal is to “deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation”, putting local authorities and communities at the heart of housebuilding in their area.
They have reiterated their commitment to preserving the green belt without changing its purpose or general extent, taking a more strategic approach to greenbelt land designation and releasing to build more homes in the right places.
Labour also wants to release and prioritise “lower quality ‘grey belt’ land”, and introduce ‘golden rules’ to ensure development benefits communities and nature.
Housing standards
Labour says they will also introduce Awaab’s Law into the private rental sector. This law was introduced to the social sector in July 2023, following the tragic passing of Awaab Ishak at just one-year-old after developing a severe respiratory condition due to exposure to mould in his home.
The law will require private landlords to investigate hazards within 14 calendar days and begin repairs within seven days of the investigation. In terms of emergency repairs, they will have to fix any issues within 24 hours.
Leasehold and freeholds
The Party has stated that they wish to “finally bring the feudal leasehold system to an end”, banning new leasehold flats and ensuring commonhold is the default tenure. This will be achieved through enacting the package of Law Commission proposals on leasehold enfranchisement and right to manage and commonhold.
They also want to tackle “unregulated and unaffordable ground rent charges” to address private housing estates and unfair maintenance costs.
At this stage, some of the proposals are lacking key details, but this should hopefully be cleared up in the near future. What is required is a clear strategy that puts housing right at the top of the agenda, so vulnerable people can be supported and we finally move past the current housing crisis.
Time will tell whether Labour can turn the ship around on housing.
