Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has made fresh calls for a rent freeze across the capital, saying that this would give “renters badly needed respite” amid the cost-of-living crisis. 

In a speech this morning, Khan again asked the government to grant him the powers to freeze private rents in the capital for two years, which he said last March would help to save around £3,000 in rent for thousands of Londoners. 

He says today: “The fact demand for housing outstrips supply is why I’ll continue fighting the corner of renters – putting pressure on the government not only to improve renters’ rights, but to give me the powers to introduce a rent control system for London that would allow me to freeze rents and give renters badly needed respite.”    

The mayor adds: “We’re choosing to take the side of renters by demanding the government introduce a rent freeze.  

“We’re choosing to reject the notion that housing is an asset, rather than a basic necessity.  

“And we’re choosing to crackdown on dodgy landlords, stand up for working Londoners and get tough with developers.” 

The speech comes as the average rent on a new let in Greater London hit £2,210 per calendar month in April, 17.2% higher than the same month last year, according to data published today by estate agent Hamptons. 

Last week, the government’s long-awaited legislation to improve renters’ rights in a Renters Reform Bill was again delayed. 

It is now more than four years since the government pledged to abolish Section 21 evictions – known commonly as ‘no fault evictions. The legislation, held up by procedural delays, may be published as soon as this week. 

In Scotland, a freeze on rents for private tenants is set to be replaced by a 3% rent cap for at least another six months, the Scottish government confirmed in January.   

The move follows Holyrood’s introduction of a rent freeze under its Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Act passed last October as part of its response to the living costs crisis.