Boris Johnson accused of failing 'ordinary' Londoners as legal battle over social rents looms

Boris Johnson was today accused of failing “ordinary Londoners” ahead of a bruising legal battle over plans which could see social rents soar.

Islington councillor James Murray, the executive member for housing, claims the Mayor’s proposals will push low and middle-income families out of the capital.

Islington is joining forces with eight other councils to launch a legal challenge against plans which they say are “totally wrong” for London.

“We need new housing that people on low incomes can afford,” said Mr Murray. “The Mayor’s plan to raise rents in new affordable housing to near-market levels is totally wrong. Last week, he said the super-rich were a ‘put-upon minority’. Yesterday, he was talking about greed being good. It’s quite clear he is failing to look out for ordinary Londoners.”

Mr Johnson’s plan would mean affordable housing schemes that benefit from Greater London Authority funding would have an average rent of 65 per cent of market rates, with a maximum of 80 per cent.

Many councils typically set social housing rents at 40 per cent of market rates.

Brent, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Islington, Lambeth, Greenwich, Southwark and Tower Hamlets councils have now officially called for a judicial review of the plan.

But the Mayor’s office said that the reforms would mean more affordable housing was built. A spokesman argued that rules which allowed boroughs to impose lower rent caps put off investors and could “shut down affordable housing supply”. He added: “Rent controls across 33 different boroughs would have the negative effect of driving away vital investment and reduce the number of homes built, exacerbating London’s housing crisis.”

The legal challenge came as Southwark council introduced rules to try to ease demand for social housing. Around 20,000 people need housing in Southwark at any one time, but just 2,000 properties become available to let each year.

Previously, people on the housing waiting list have turned down properties for reasons which include the too-high ceilings or too-dark gardens.

However, the council has now said that people will be given three chances to turn down properties or risk getting nothing at all.