Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has stated that rent controls will not be implemented in England, asserting that the Renters' Rights Act, which became law in May, is already demonstrating a significant effect on the rental market. Rayner told BBC Breakfast that rent controls previously introduced in some areas of the UK over the past few years had not demonstrably lowered rents.

In 2023, when Andy Burnham served as the mayor of Greater Manchester, he advocated for private sector rent freezes to alleviate the impact of the cost of living crisis. However, Rayner indicated on Friday that "rent freezes, rent controls, is not a way forward at the moment." She added that the Renters' Rights Act has been enacted to empower renters and provide them with greater control.

Temporary rent controls were in effect in Scotland from October 2022 until they expired last year. Despite this, advocates like Green Party leader Zack Polanski and Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan continue to call for rent controls or caps on rented properties in England.

The Renters' Rights Act aims to enhance stability and security for the approximately 11 million individuals who rent from private landlords. Key provisions include the prohibition of fixed-term tenancies and making it substantially more difficult for landlords to evict tenants. Additionally, rents can only be increased once annually, and such increases must align with the property's "open market rent."

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Rayner also addressed the government's objective to construct 1.5 million new homes by the end of the current parliamentary term in 2029. She acknowledged to BBC Radio 4's Today programme that this target has become more challenging to achieve, citing rising construction costs as a contributing factor. "1.5 million homes is a difficult target. It was when I made the target, but I'm going to keep the target, and I'm not going to be defeated," she stated.

During his bid to succeed Sir Keir Starmer as leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister, Burnham pledged to initiate the most extensive council house building program in decades. He has also frequently discussed reforms to property taxes, including stamp duty and council tax, although specific changes have not been detailed for a potential government role.