Andy Burnham has outlined plans for a major housing overhaul that could affect renters, landlords, first-time buyers and homeowners across England if he becomes prime minister. His proposals include a large council housebuilding programme, tougher action against poor landlords and possible changes to council tax and stamp duty, but none of the measures is automatic or yet in force.
The Andy Burnham housing plans are aimed at tackling a shortage of affordable homes and rising pressure on household budgets. People planning to buy, rent or remortgage should continue using the current rules because any national reform would need to be formally announced, funded and, in many cases, approved by Parliament.
Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester and MP for Makerfield, has placed housing near the centre of his political programme. His record in Manchester suggests he would focus on expanding social housing, improving private rental standards and giving local authorities greater power over poor-quality properties.
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One of Burnham’s main proposals is what he has described as the biggest council housebuilding programme since the Second World War.
Council housing refers to homes owned by local authorities and offered at rents that are normally lower than private market rates. Burnham argues that building more homes for social rent would help families who cannot afford private rents or property prices.
Reports suggest he wants the existing £39 billion affordable housing programme to focus more heavily on homes offered at genuine social rents. Greater Manchester had already set ambitions to build thousands of council and social homes, including on previously developed land and surplus public property.
However, a national programme would face practical limits. Councils would need suitable land, planning approval, construction workers and long-term funding.
The homes would also take years to complete, meaning the plan would not provide an immediate answer for people currently struggling with rent or temporary accommodation.
Burnham’s record in Greater Manchester also points towards tighter regulation of private landlords.
The Greater Manchester Good Landlord Charter was designed to encourage landlords to meet property, safety and management standards. The wider “new deal for renters” approach combines support for responsible landlords with enforcement against those who leave homes in poor condition.
Possible national measures linked to Burnham’s approach include an independent inspection system for rented homes, a register of landlords and improvement plans for properties that fail required standards.
He has also backed stronger compulsory purchase powers. Compulsory purchase allows a public authority, under defined legal conditions and with compensation, to acquire property without the owner’s agreement.
Such powers would not mean councils could simply seize any privately owned home. Authorities would have to follow legal procedures, show that the action served the public interest and meet compensation requirements.
Burnham has previously supported tougher sanctions against repeat offenders and sought powers for rent controls. Critics may argue that stricter rules and price controls could lead some landlords to leave the market, reducing the number of homes available.
Supporters say stronger enforcement is needed because tenants should not have to live in damp, unsafe or badly maintained accommodation.
Burnham has also criticised council tax, describing the system as regressive because bills are still linked to property values assessed in 1991.
He has previously supported replacing council tax, and potentially stamp duty, with a tax based more closely on land or current property values.
Stamp duty is a tax paid by many people when purchasing property. Council tax is charged each year by local councils to help fund services.
Supporters of property tax reform say the present system can place a heavier burden on lower-value homes and discourage people from moving. Replacing stamp duty could reduce the upfront cost of buying a property, particularly for first-time buyers and people moving to a smaller home.
However, a yearly property or land tax could leave some people paying more. Older homeowners with valuable properties but modest incomes could face difficulties unless protections, payment deferrals or exemptions were introduced.
The exact winners and losers would depend on the tax rate, the valuation method and whether safeguards were provided. Burnham has not yet published a complete national scheme setting out those details.
The proposals do not currently change mortgage agreements, tenancy contracts, council tax bills or stamp duty liabilities.