Shadow Housing Secretary Katie Lam has spoken in favour of scrapping the Renters’ Rights Act, although the Conservatives have since clarified that removing the legislation is not official party policy.
Speaking at the Conservative Party’s annual conference, Lam criticised Labour’s plans to take control of properties that have remained empty for six months. She argued that the proposal could create difficulties for landlords.
Lam has previously criticised the Renters’ Rights Act, linking the reforms to higher rents and landlords selling up. During a fringe conference event, she dismissed concerns that the legislation had originally been introduced by her own party.
“I don’t care where it comes from. It’s got to go!” she told delegates.
Conservative Housing Plans
In her main conference speech, Lam outlined several measures aimed at reducing housebuilding costs and increasing housing supply.
The Conservatives have proposed cutting the cost of new-build homes by as much as £50,000, scrapping the Future Homes Standard and replacing Section 106 agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy with a single levy.
The party also wants to abolish Stamp Duty and remove other planning rules and barriers that it says are holding back housebuilding and infrastructure development.
Propertymark Response
Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns at Propertymark, said measures aimed at increasing housing supply and simplifying the planning system would be welcome.
He also backed the proposal to scrap Stamp Duty, saying it could remove a major obstacle for people looking to move home and help improve activity across the housing market.
However, Douglas warned that removing the Future Homes Standard entirely would need careful consideration.
He said regulation should remain proportionate and support the delivery of new homes without creating unnecessary costs or delays, while ensuring properties are suitable for the future.
Douglas also stressed that planning reform on its own would not solve the housing crisis.
He said the success of the proposals should ultimately be judged by whether they lead to more homes and better affordability for first-time buyers and renters. He added that the claimed £50,000 saving would need to be tested to see whether it actually benefits buyers.
He also warned against reducing costs at the expense of housing quality and standards, saying a balance would need to be maintained.
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