NRLA CEO joins high-profile London Housing Conference
NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle was among a host of big names at this week’s London Housing Conference.
Hosted by London Assembly Member Lord Bailey of Paddington, Ben joined high profile figures including Shadow Housing Secretary Sir James Cleverly MP to discuss proactive ways to address London's housebuilding and home ownership crisis.
The second annual conference, held on Monday, followed the publication of Lord Bailey’s Get London Building report last autumn, which found London built the fewest homes of any English region per capita last year, with housing starts down by 73%.
Ben told the roundtable that, with 28% of households in London now privately renting, a vibrant private rented sector (PRS) is vital when it comes to supporting people into work and educational opportunities – and to enable a flexible labour market.
However, he agreed, the numbers make for sobering reading, with the latest data from the English Housing Survey showing the number of PRS dwellings recorded in 2024/05 fell by 8%.
Ben told fellow delegates that among the key barriers to investment in new, good quality homes to rent are the tax changes which began a decade ago, including the restriction on mortgage interest relief (MIR) and introduction of the 3% stamp duty surcharge on additional homes.
Speaking after the conference he said: “This was a really positive event, bringing together stakeholders from across the housing industry and beyond to explore innovate ways to tackle London’s housing crisis.
“I think we all agree we need more good quality, affordable housing of all tenures, and this event was about the positive steps that can be taken to help make that happen.
“A good start, I believe, would be an end to the piecemeal approach to policy and taxation that we have seen in recent years, along with the creation of a considered and comprehensive strategy for the PRS.
“I now look forward to continuing discussions with these industry leaders and other key stakeholders to further explore proactive solutions to the crisis to encourage long term investment.
