HOUSING

The ongoing housing crisis is a national emergency. It is unacceptable that so many citizens are priced out of owning a home or are forced to pay obscene levels of rent for a survival essential. We want people to feel secure in their housing arrangements, and leaving this to the market has failed. The primary purpose of government is to protect its citizens, and that doesn’t stop at buying bombs, aircraft, and nuclear weapons, it extends to making sure people have a roof over their head, food on the table, and secure, well-paid employment so they can pay their bills.

Housing is a real measure of how our economy is doing. It’s really hard to have a family if you don’t have secure housing, and having millions of people not being able to afford to buy in their 20s and 30s means they are forced to delay starting families, or even not have them at all. This will have enormous knock-on demographic effects in 30-40 years’ time, requiring us to import more people from abroad to compensate, and social effects more immediately with people feeling like they are priced out of having a stake in society and that they have nothing to lose, which will pull them towards extreme solutions. This is a clear demonstration that the housing market is dysfunctional and distorting the economy. To make housing more secure, we would take the following measures:

  • Introduce rent controls capping rent to 10% of the average local earnings, limit rent rises to inflation, and these rises to no more than once every two years.

  • Deter hoarding multiple properties by levying a Multiple Property Tax of 100% of the purchase value on second properties, 200% for a third, 300% for a fourth and so on.

  • Ban non-domiciled foreign buyers, companies, property developers, and anonymous buyers from buying residential properties by amending the National Security & Investment Act 2021 to include housing as the 18th key sector.

  • Ban landlords from transferring property deeds to shell companies.

  • Require landlords to offer their tenant(s) the right to purchase the property first if they decide to sell up via a Housing Reform Act. If not, the local council should have the next right of refusal. If sold to the council with tenants in situ, the council should charge them a minimal rent to offset the cost of maintenance/repair of the property, or offer the mortgage to them if they want to buy and can afford it. This will rapidly replenish every council’s social housing stock alongside a mass housebuilding programme.

  • Renters' leases should be indefinite and the landlord should have no ability to break the lease unless they can prove criminal damage or persistent non-payment of rent. No more 'no-fault' evictions, no more claiming to be moving themselves in to the property, no evicting tenants in order to sell etc.

  • Scrap the rule that allows landlords to not report rental earnings of under £10,000 per annum, or pay tax on them. All property income should be declared and be liable for tax.

  • Make it illegal to discriminate against renting to people on benefits or with children.

  • Renters should have the right to keep pets with no extra costs or deposits required.

  • Redefine ‘affordable’ and ‘social’ rents/housing – 80% of market rate is not affordable for the majority of people.

  • Redistribute land away from tiny elite of owners (0.3% of UK population – 160,000 families – own 70% of the land) so it’s more equitable with a Land Reform Act. Homeowners should own their land and more land should be returned to common ownership.

  • End landbanking by requiring owners to develop within 6 months otherwise the State will buy back the land via Compulsory Purchase Order at the original value of the land.

  • Mass housebuilding programme via a state builder coupled with ending Right to Buy and Buy to Let schemes.

    • Focus on developing brownfield sites and under-utilised urban spaces before considering greenfield e.g. The Phoenix Development in Lewes, and Battersea Power Station.

      • Remediate contaminated land with eco-friendly methods such as phytoremediation with plants.

    • Stricter biodiversity net gain policies that provide measurable improvements e.g. requiring developers to integrate green roofs, hedge and wildlife corridors, tree retention, habitat bridges etc. into their designs to encourage non-disturbance of existing nature and landforms instead of flattening them a la the Hockerton Housing Project.

    • Install solar panels, heat pumps and community energy systems as standard with an end-goal of zero-carbon living.

    • Design new developments to be walkable, and accommodate cycling and electric vehicle charging by default.

    • Prefer modular homes made from reclaimed materials where possible so buildings can be repurposed in the future rather than demolished, to encourage circular economies.

    • Use rainwater harvesting and permeable paving to reduce runoff and flooding, and incorporate greywater recycling for toilet flushing and irrigation.

    • Create ponds and wetlands to support local ecosystems.

    • Completely ban development on or in ancient woodlands with buffer zones around them.

    • Enforceable standards for terms like ‘sustainable’ and ‘eco-friendly’ (e.g. no net loss of canopy cover) to prevent greenwashing.

  • Provide funds/schemes for owners of older homes to insulate walls/roofs/floors, double/triple glaze windows, and install heat pumps.

  • Housing Guarantee – offer mortgages through a State-owned retail bank at a specific rate which sets the benchmark for private companies to match/better. If the borrower runs into difficulties, this bank will restructure the terms so they pay what they can afford and don’t lose their home.

  • Use the State-owned retail bank to provide mortgages-for-life at a low, fixed-term rate. This already exists in the US, so why not the UK?

  • Emulate Finland’s Housing First policy to end homelessness.

  • Allow anyone on a fixed rate mortgage to buy themselves out of the fixed-rate (e.g. if rates are now lower than what they’re paying) and add any penalties on to the remaining balance.

  • Align the mortgage process system in England & Wales to match Scotland’s i.e. that the offer is finalised at an early stage and it’s much harder legally to back out to prevent gazumping.

  • Require sellers and estate agents to advertise property at the price they are actually looking for as the current system just wastes everyone’s time. There should be no more ‘offers over…’ advertisements listing the property below the value mentioned in the Home Report. If the seller wants more than that valuation, they must advertise that from the beginning.

  • Change the rules regarding council tax rebanding appeals so that households can appeal against a rebranding earlier than the current six months to immediately.

DETAILS

HOUSING REFORM ACT 2029

PART 1: EMERGENCY TENANT PROTECTIONS & ANTI-SPECULATION MEASURES

SECTION 1: MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS

  • 1. Notwithstanding any other enactment, no court in England or Wales shall-

    • (a) issue a possession order for any tenancy, or

    • (b) enforce an existing order,

  • unless the landlord proves substantial damage to the property or criminal activity by the tenant.

  • 2. This section expires 24 months after Royal Assent unless extended by statutory instrument.

SECTION 2: RENT FREEZE

  • 1. From [date], all rents for residential properties are fixed at the lowest amount charged in the 24 months preceding [enactment date], adjusted only by CPI inflation.

  • 2. Landlords who violate subsection (1) must refund excess payments plus a 200% penalty to tenants.

SECTION 3: EMPTY DWELLING LEVY

  • A 300% council tax surcharge applies to dwellings unoccupied for >183 days in any 12-month period, except when due to:

    • Medical/Care Reasons

      • Owner or immediate family member is hospitalized/in long-term care (proof: NHS letter or care home contract).

      • Duration: Exempt until 6 months after discharge.

    • Temporary Work Assignments

      • Owner is deployed overseas (armed forces, FCDO staff) or on a working-holiday visa/fixed-term contract (>6 months).

      • Proof: Employer verification + return ticket/contract.

    • Probate & Inheritance

      • Property is in probate or inherited within the last 12 months.

      • Cap: Max 24 months total exemption.

    • Major Renovations

      • Planning-approved works causing uninhabitability (e.g., structural repairs).

      • Requirement: Must submit contractor timelines + progress reports every 3 months.

    • Seasonal Homes

      • Designated second homes used 60+ days per year (verified by utility usage).

      • Condition: Pay 200% council tax (not 300%) if under 60-day threshold.

    • Failed Sales

      • Property was listed at market price for over 6 months with no offers.

      • Proof: Estate agent records + independent valuation.

    • Local authorities may compulsorily purchase properties under this section after 24 months of vacancy.

    • Exemptions in this section will require annual recertification unless otherwise stated.

SECTION 4: LANDLORD LICENSING

  • It is unlawful to receive rental income from any dwelling not registered in the National Landlord Database.

  • HMRC shall-

    • (a) deny all tax deductions for unlicensed properties, and

    • (b) impose fines equal to 100% of rental income received.

________________________________________

PART 2: DEMOCRATIC LAND USE & PUBLIC HOUSING MOBILISATION

SECTION 5: COMMUNITY RIGHT TO RECLAIM LAND

  • Where any land in a Built-Up Area Assessment Zone has been vacant for >5 years:

    • (a) the local authority may purchase it at 50% of its agricultural land value, and

    • (b) must hold a binding referendum on its use within 6 months.

  • "Vacant land" includes but is not limited to:

    • (a) surface car parks,

    • (b) derelict industrial sites,

    • (c) land held by offshore entities without approved development plans.

SECTION 6: NATIONAL HOUSING DELIVERY CORPORATION

  • There shall be a public body called Homes for Britain with powers to:

    • (a) compulsorily purchase land at 75% of market value,

    • (b) directly employ construction workers at £15 per hour plus benefits,

    • (c) requisition building materials during shortages.

  • The Treasury shall provide:

    • (a) an initial £50bn credit line from the Bank of England,

    • (b) annual adjustments indexed to construction sector inflation.

SECTION 7: RETROFIT REQUIREMENTS

  • All dwellings purchased under Part 3 must achieve:

    • (a) EPC Band A within 18 months, and

    • (b) meet Passivhaus airtightness standards.

  • The Green Transition Fund, administered by the BoE, shall provide:

    • (a) 100% grants for heat pump installation,

    • (b) interest-free loans for structural insulation.

________________________________________

PART 3: SOCIAL HOUSING EXPANSION & RENT STABILISATION

SECTION 8: RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL FOR TENANTS & LOCAL AUTHORITIES

  • 1. Mandatory Sales Process:

    • Upon a landlord’s intention to sell a privately rented dwelling, they must first offer the property:

      • a) To the current tenant(s) at a price not exceeding 10x the local median gross annual earnings (as defined by ONS statistics for the preceding year).

      • b) To the relevant local authority, if the tenant declines, at a price not exceeding 90% of the market valuation (as assessed by the District Valuer).

      • c) To the open market, only if both tenant and local authority decline purchase within 60 days.

  • 2. Funding Mechanisms:

    • The Treasury shall establish a Housing Acquisition Fund at the Bank of England, providing:

      • a) Interest-free loans to local authorities for bulk purchases under subsection (1)(b).

      • b) Tenant purchase grants covering up to 20% of the sale price for eligible households (incomes below 80% of local median).

  • 3. Inflation Safeguards:

    • If housing-related inflation exceeds 5% annually, the Treasury may impose:

      • a) Sectoral taxes on private residential landholdings exceeding £1m in value.

      • b) Import subsidies for construction materials to offset supply bottlenecks.

SECTION 9: RENT CONTROLS

  • 1. Earnings-Linked Cap:

    • From [date], private rents shall not exceed 10% of the local median gross monthly earnings per dwelling (adjusted annually).

    • Exemptions:

      • a) New builds (first 10 years).

      • b) Luxury dwellings (council-defined).

  • 2. Enforcement:

    • Local authorities may compulsorily purchase properties persistently in breach of caps (via Section 12 process).

SECTION 10: HOUSING RETROFITTING

  • 1. Construction & Retrofit Workforce:

    • The Department for Housing shall recruit workers to participate in:

      • a) Retrofitting ex-rental properties to social housing standards.

      • b) Training programmes in modular home construction.

KEY LEGAL SAFEGUARDS

  • Ouster Clause: "No judicial review shall lie against compulsory purchases made under Sections 3 or 5."

  • MMT Funding Clause: "Expenditure under Sections 6-7 shall not count against any fiscal rule."

  • Anti-Avoidance: "Beneficial owners of any property subject to this Act must be disclosed to HMRC on pain of 300% asset value fines."

________________________________________

ENFORCEMENT TIMELINE

  • Section 1-2

    • Effective 24h after royal assent

    • Enforced by Courts Service

  • Section 3-4

    • Effective 1 month after royal assent

    • Enforced by Local Authorities

  • Section 5-7

    • Effective 3 months after royal assent

    • Enforced by Homes for Britain

HOUSING FIRST POLICY

SECTION 1: UNCONDITIONAL HOUSING

  • Homeless individuals are given permanent housing immediately, without preconditions like sobriety or participation in treatment programs.

  • The housing is not temporary shelter space but actual apartments, often scattered across cities to avoid ghettoization.

SECTION 2: WRAPAROUND SUPPORT SERVICES

  • Tenants receive tailored support (social workers, healthcare, addiction counselling, job training) to help them stabilize their lives.

  • Support is voluntary but strongly encouraged.

SECTION 3: COLLABORATION BETWEEN STAKEHOLDERS

  • The Y-Foundation (a nonprofit) works with the government to acquire and manage housing. This would be a prime area to encourage cooperatives to start up in the UK.

  • Municipalities, NGOs, and state agencies coordinate funding and services.

SECTION 4: COST-EFFECTIVENESS & HUMAN-RIGHTS BASED

  • Studies show it’s cheaper than emergency shelters, hospitals, and prisons, where homeless people often end up.

  • Recognises housing is a basic human right, not a reward for "good behaviour."

Results of the Policy:

  • Homelessness in Finland has dropped by over 50% since 2008.

  • Rough sleeping has nearly disappeared in Helsinki.

  • Savings in emergency healthcare, policing, and social services.

  • Improved quality of life for formerly homeless individuals.

WHY IT WORKS (COMPARED TO TRADITIONAL MODELS)

  • Traditional "staircase" models require progress through shelters before earning housing-many fall through the cracks.

  • Housing First stabilizes people first, making other interventions (like addiction treatment) more effective.

  • If we can house the homeless overnight at the start of the Covid pandemic, we can do it now too. It has always been a political choice not to do so, and we are making a different choice.

LAND REFORM ACT 2029

"A BILL TO:

Restructure land ownership in the United Kingdom to reduce inequality, promote community stewardship, and ensure sustainable use of land for the public good."

________________________________________

PART 1: PRELIMINARY

SECTION 1: DEFINITIONS

  • 1. "Land" includes all terrestrial territory within the UK, including subsurface rights (excluding mineral rights owned by the Crown).

  • 2. "Beneficial Owner" means the individual or entity ultimately entitled to the land’s economic benefits, regardless of nominal ownership.

  • 3. "Community Land Trust (CLT)" means a democratic, non-profit entity holding land for community benefit.

  • 4. "Vacant/Underutilised Land" means land not actively used for housing, agriculture, or ecological purposes for three consecutive years.

  • 5. “Public Infrastructure Land” means land that is currently being used for transport, utilities, or emergency services and is owned or leased by a public authority or regulated private entity, and does not meet the definition of vacant/underutilised land.

________________________________________

PART 2: LAND TRANSPARENCY & REGISTRATION

SECTION 2: PUBLIC LAND OWNERSHIP REGISTER

  • 1. A Centralised Land Ownership Register shall be maintained, disclosing:

    • (a) The beneficial owner of all UK land.

    • (b) The size, location, and use of all holdings exceeding 1 acre.

  • 2. Non-compliance Penalty: Failure to register shall result in a 10% annual tax on land value until compliance is met.

SECTION 3: BAN ON OFFSHORE & ANONYMOUS OWNERSHIP

  • 1. All land must be held by UK-registered entities with publicly identifiable owners.

  • 2. Existing offshore-held land must be transferred to UK entities within two years or face compulsory purchase at 50% market value.

________________________________________

PART 3: LAND VALUE TAX (LVT) & WEALTH REDISTRIBUTION

SECTION 4: PROGRESSIVE LAND VALUE TAX

  • 1. An annual tax shall be levied on the unimproved value of land, with rates as follows:

    • (a) 0.5% for primary residences and smallholdings (<5 acres).

    • (b) 2% for residential/commercial land not owner-occupied.

    • (c) 5% for estates >1,000 acres or land held by absentee owners.

    • (d) 10% for vacant/derelict land in urban areas.

  • 2. Percentage Equivalent of Revenue Collection Allocation: 50% to local councils, 30% to a National Land Bank, 20% to ecological restoration.

SECTION 5: VACANT & DERELICT LAND TAX

  • 1. Land left undeveloped for three years in areas with housing shortages shall incur an additional 200% council tax surcharge.

  • 2. After five years, local authorities may compulsorily purchase such land at agricultural value.

________________________________________

PART 4: LAND OWNERSHIP LIMITS & REDISTRIBUTION

SECTION 6: CAP ON PRIVATE LAND OWNERSHIP

  • 1. No individual, corporation or other entity may own more than 1,000 acres without demonstrating public benefit.

  • 2. Existing excess holdings must be sold within five years, with priority given to:

    • (a) Community Land Trusts

    • (b) Small farmers & cooperatives

    • (c) Local authorities for social housing

SECTION 7: COMMUNITY RIGHT TO BUY

  • 1. Where land is sold, local communities have first refusal at market price minus speculative value.

  • 2. A National Land Bank shall provide low-interest loans to CLTs for purchases.

SECTION 8: COMPULSORY PURCHASE REFORM

  • 1. Local councils may acquire land for:

    • (a) Affordable housing

    • (b) Small-scale farming

    • (c) Ecological restoration

  • 2. Compensation shall be based on current use value, not speculative development value.

________________________________________

PART 5: TENANT & WORKER RIGHTS

SECTION 9: TENANT PURCHASE RIGHTS

  • 1. Agricultural tenants leasing land for 10+ years may purchase it at 50% market value.

  • 2. Private renters in long-term tenancies (5+ years) have first right to buy if the landlord sells.

SECTION 10: WORKER COOPERATIVE SUPPORT

  • 1. Employees of farms or land-based businesses may form worker cooperatives with state-backed buyout financing.

________________________________________

PART 6: GOVERNANCE & ENFORCEMENT

SECTION 11: NATIONAL LAND COMMISSION

  • 1. An independent Land Commission shall:

    • (a) Oversee redistribution.

    • (b) Investigate land hoarding.

    • (c) Recommend further reforms.

SECTION 12: REGIONAL LAND ASSEMBLIES

  • 1. Citizen assemblies in each region shall advise on land use priorities (housing, farming, conservation etc.).

________________________________________

PART 7: FINAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 13: COMMENCEMENT & REVIEW

  • 1. This Act shall come into force in stages, with Sections 2 (Transparency), 5 (Vacant Land Tax), and 7 (Community Right to Buy) effective within 3 months of Royal Assent. All remaining provisions shall be implemented no later than 24 months after passing.

  • 2. A review shall occur every five years to assess impact.

________________________________________

SCHEDULE 1: EXEMPTIONS

  • The Crown Estate and public infrastructure land shall remain under public stewardship, but shall be subject to Land Value Tax where used for commercial purposes. Unused portions may be reclaimed for community benefit.

SCHEDULE 2: NON-COMPLIANCE PENALTIES

  • Tax evasion: Up to 200% of owed tax.

  • False declarations: Criminal liability for corporate officers.

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