Burnham hands councils power to seize poorly repaired homes as Labour targets landlords on all fronts

From the Newshound archive · first published 28 September 2026 · last updated 30 September 2026.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the Labour conference that councils will be given strengthened powers to take rented homes from landlords who ignore repair notices, comparing substandard housing to unsafe food. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner separately announced councils can now seize empty buy-to-let properties after just six months — down from the previous two-year threshold. Rayner also unveiled a new independent regulator to crack down on leasehold 'cowboys, crooks and con artists' and pledged to cap then scrap ground rents. The property sector is already demanding clarity on how the sweeping powers will work in practice.

Burnham warned of landlords 'paid through the benefit system' who 'refuse to reinvest anything in the upkeep' of their properties.

Around 600,000 privately owned homes in England sit empty, with half vacant for more than six months — now all potentially eligible for council seizure.

Leaseholders have been charged £250 for permission to own a pet and £400 to change their front door, Rayner told conference delegates.