The rising cost of rent is pushing many Londoners out of their homes, with a 31-year-old Londoner, Lauren Elcock, leaving the capital for a new job in Manchester. Elcock's rent has increased by £250 in the past five years, and she now pays £850 a month for a shared room in north-east London. This situation is not unique; a national housing demonstration brought together tenant groups, housing campaigners, and trade unions to demand more measures to make rent affordable. The Renters' Rights Act, which comes into effect on May 1, 2025, is seen as a step in the right direction, but many argue it doesn't go far enough. The new legislation requires landlords to give two months' notice to raise rent and can only increase it once a year to the market rate. Tenants can challenge excessive rent increases at a first-tier tribunal. However, the London Renters' Union's Joe Beswick points out that the act only addresses security, not affordability. He calls for rent controls and caps to prevent massive hikes. The average UK monthly private rent increased by 3.5% to £1,367 in the 12 months to September 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Analysis from Spareroom found that only five London postcodes still have sub-£800 average room rents, down from 81 postcodes in 2020. A survey of 4,500 tenants in England revealed that 30% had had their rents increased, and 11% had been evicted or received notice of eviction. Data analyst Maxine Hamilton claims her landlord admitted to raising her rent by £200 a month ahead of the law changes, and her small one-bedroom flat in south-east London now costs £1,350. With her partner's poor health, she and her family have been pushed onto universal credit. The Labour Party's Renters' Rights Act, which will become law during the local election campaign, aims to end no-fault evictions, cap unfair rent hikes, and introduce a new ombudsman and stronger enforcement. However, the Conservative Party argues that Labour's version doesn't balance the interests of landlords and will exacerbate housing costs by driving landlords out of the market. The Liberal Democrats and the Green Party also have their concerns, with the latter calling for rent controls, which are not included in the act. Reform UK claims the act has been a disaster for renters in London, driving landlords to sell up and pushing up rental prices.
