Newham Council is intensifying its push for rent control powers from the government, arguing that the current housing system exploits residents. The council is seeking powers beyond those already granted in the Renters' Rights Act 2025, specifically to enable rent controls and fair rents to protect tenants from exploitation .

At a council meeting on Monday 10 November 2025, Councillor Nate Higgins, Green Group Leader, questioned Councillor Amar Virdee, Deputy Mayor & Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Housing Need, Homelessness & Private Rented Sector, on the administration's efforts to lobby the government for rent controls.

Councillor Higgins asked, Can you demonstrate that conviction by listing what you and your Cabinet have done in the past twelve months to lobby the Government and build political support for rent controls in Newham—and to challenge a system where the few profit from the many simply trying to live?

Councillor Virdee responded that the administration has supported the principle of rent controls for some time, as part of wider work to improve the private rental market. He noted that Newham has been a leader in developing property licencing since 2013. Newham was also the principal sponsor of the Centre for London report Licence to Let (May 2023), which made a powerful case for enhanced local powers within the Renters' Reform Bill and for stronger regulation of the private rented sector.

He added that in May 2025, he wrote to Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, the Lords Minister for Housing and Local Government, expressing Newham's strong support for proposed amendments to the Renters' Rights Bill. These amendments sought to strengthen local authorities' ability to operate licensing schemes and to extend their duration critical steps to enable long-term, large-scale improvements in housing standards.

Councillor Virdee also highlighted the introduction of the Renters' Rights Act 2025, which the council believes complements their ongoing work. The Act includes measures such as the abolition of no-fault Section 21 evictions, protections against discrimination, limits on rent increases to once per year, and the right for tenants to challenge unfair rent increases through a tribunal. Implementation of these measures is expected to begin in April 2026.

The council meeting also addressed a motion concerning housebuilding in London. The Green Group motion, proposed by Councillor Areeq Chowdhury and Councillor Higgins, called on the government and the Mayor of London to enable rent controls and fair rents, and lift borrowing caps.

An amended motion proposed by the Labour Party included ensuring that renters in Newham are made aware of the expansion in their rights under the new Renters Reform Act.