London Mayor Sadiq Khan has repeated calls to be handed rent control powers in the capital to prevent a potential homelessness crisis.

In an open letter to the Prime Minister, Kahn said the Queen’s Speech was an opportunity to commit to the strategy, adding: “I have repeatedly asked for the powers to design and implement a system of rent control for London, which would help to reduce the financial pressure on renters, without choking off supply.”

Khan cites the Homelet rental index for March 2022, which showed that renters in London now spend 34% of their income on rent. He wants the government to implement an immediate two-year rent freeze to relieve the pressure on already-stretched renters, in a bid to save Londoners an average of almost £3,000.

Khan also reiterated his plea for more powers to push for property licensing and pledges his support for the government’s commitment to ending section 21, as well as introducing open-ended tenancies and creating a public national landlord register.

“However, affordability is clearly the most urgent issue facing the majority of renters, and currently the government remains silent on this issue,” he said.