A political row has emerged after media reports claimed that Labour leadership hopeful and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham owns and lets out a former council flat in Kennington, south London. The reports, published in The Sun and the Daily Mail, have sparked criticism from opponents who say it raises questions about his stance on private landlords.
According to the reports, Burnham purchased the property in 2005 for a significantly lower price than its current estimated value. The flat is now believed to be worth around £480,000, roughly double what was originally paid, and is currently rented out within the private sector.
The situation has led to accusations of inconsistency from political rivals, particularly within the Conservative Party. Kevin Hollinrake, the Conservative chairman, was quoted in the press suggesting there is “a whiff of hypocrisy” given Burnham’s public criticism of parts of the landlord sector.
Burnham has become a prominent political figure on housing policy, particularly through his role as Mayor of Greater Manchester. Over recent years, he has supported a range of measures aimed at improving standards in the private rented sector and increasing regulation of landlords.
One of his key initiatives includes the introduction of a Good Landlord Charter, designed to encourage higher standards in rental housing and improve conditions for tenants across the sector.
He has also overseen funding for enforcement activity in Greater Manchester, including a £1.5 million programme that allowed additional officers to investigate and take action against landlords who fail to meet required housing standards.
In 2023, Burnham wrote to the then Housing Secretary Michael Gove calling for stronger intervention in the rental market. His letter included support for the introduction of rent controls, arguing that some landlords were taking advantage of rising living costs to increase rents significantly.
While he acknowledged that some landlords were facing higher mortgage costs, he also suggested that many were not, and that tenants were being unfairly affected by rent increases during the cost-of-living crisis.
His wider housing proposals have included a number of structural reforms aimed at changing how the rental sector operates. These have included calls for independent inspections of rented properties and the introduction of formal improvement plans for landlords.
He has also proposed giving local authorities greater powers to intervene where landlords are unable or unwilling to meet required standards, including the possibility of acquiring poorly managed rental properties.
Another proposal linked to his housing agenda is the creation of a mandatory national property portal or landlord register, aimed at improving transparency and accountability within the sector.
Burnham has also previously supported ending the right to buy scheme for new-build homes, arguing that it reduces the availability of housing stock in some areas.
In late 2024, he told a housing conference that he did not want to see landlords leaving the private rented sector altogether, despite advocating for stronger regulation and oversight.
More recently, he has supported initiatives encouraging landlords to improve energy efficiency, including urging them to take up government-backed Warm Homes grants.
He has also been involved in wider policy discussions around taxation and housing, including proposals that would see Capital Gains Tax potentially aligned more closely with income tax rates, as part of broader fiscal reform debates.
The reports have reignited discussion about the role of political figures who personally own rental property while also supporting tighter regulation of the sector. Critics argue it raises questions about consistency, while supporters suggest it reflects the complexity of housing policy and personal investment decisions.
As the debate continues, the story has become another flashpoint in the ongoing discussion about the balance between landlord interests, tenant protections, and political accountability in the UK housing market.
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