With both Reform UK and the Green Party making expected gains in recent local elections, attention is turning to what their growing presence in councils could mean for landlords and the wider private rental sector.
While local election results can influence housing policy at a regional level, much of the legislation that directly affects landlords is still decided by central government. This means that, in practice, the immediate impact of these results may be limited, particularly in the short term.
Reform UK: national focus limits local impact
Many of Reform UK’s housing proposals are aimed at national policy rather than local authority control. As a result, even where the party gains influence in councils, its ability to implement meaningful changes for landlords may be restricted.
At a national level, Reform UK has outlined several policies that would directly affect the private rented sector. These include plans to remove Section 24 of the Housing Act, which currently limits landlords’ ability to offset mortgage interest against rental income for tax purposes.
The party has also indicated it would look to roll back parts of the Renters’ Rights Act, which has introduced stricter rules around tenancies and tenant protections.
Other proposals include replacing Stamp Duty with a locally controlled property tax, introducing rent-to-buy schemes aimed at helping younger people onto the housing ladder, and expanding protections for leaseholders.
In addition, Reform UK has emphasised increasing housing supply through planning reform, greater use of brownfield land, and a stronger focus on modern construction methods such as modular housing.
There are also broader proposals around social housing, including prioritising local residents in allocations and encouraging long-term investment through pension funds.
However, most of these measures would require changes at Westminster, meaning council-level influence alone is unlikely to deliver immediate shifts for landlords.
Green Party: stronger focus on rental reform
The Green Party’s approach places more emphasis on the private rental sector, particularly at a local level where councils have greater influence over housing standards and planning decisions.
The party’s recent electoral gains have been partly driven by support from younger voters, many of whom are renters. As a result, its housing policies tend to focus on affordability, tenant protections, and environmental standards.
Among its key proposals is the introduction of rent controls, allowing local authorities to limit how much landlords can charge in specific areas. This is one of the policies that could potentially be influenced at a local level, depending on legislative backing.
The Greens have also proposed a significant increase in social housing, with plans to deliver up to 150,000 new homes each year. Alongside this, the party supports ending the Right to Buy scheme, which allows tenants to purchase council homes.
Environmental measures also feature heavily in the party’s housing agenda. These include upgrading insulation standards across existing homes and requiring new-build properties to include renewable energy features such as solar panels and heat pumps.
Funding for these initiatives would partly come from proposed taxes on high-net-worth individuals, aimed at supporting housing and wider public services.
What this means for landlords
For landlords, the overall picture is mixed. Reform UK’s policies could be seen as more supportive of landlords, particularly in relation to tax changes and regulatory reform, but these would depend on national-level decisions.
In contrast, the Green Party’s proposals suggest tighter controls and higher standards, particularly around rents and energy efficiency, which could increase costs or limit flexibility for property owners.
In the short term, the direct impact of these local election results is likely to be limited. However, they may signal a broader shift in the political landscape, with housing policy continuing to be a key issue in both local and national debates.
Looking ahead
While councils can influence planning decisions, housing delivery, and local enforcement, the most significant changes for landlords will still come from central government policy.
That said, growing support for parties with clear housing agendas could shape future legislation, particularly as pressure continues to build around affordability, supply, and sustainability in the UK housing market.
For now, landlords may not see immediate changes, but the direction of travel suggests that housing policy will remain firmly in focus in the months and years ahead.
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