The real issues.
The issues in UK housing are fairly obvious.
Internal North to South migration due to lack of regional economic development. Weakly controlled immigration from outside EU, uncontrolled immigration from within EU. Selling off stock by social housing providers, both Councils and Housing Associations -- sales often end up in the hands of commercial landlords.
Permitting buy to let mortgages in a generally poor economy that makes property a better investment than productive, job creating, businesses. Tenants (and landlords) are ripped off by predatory letting agents. Landlords are often leaseholders and are ripped off by predatory freeholders. Result; even higher housing costs.
Rent control has one particular benefit (aside from reducing rent inflation and improving security of tenure) -- it forces less efficient or greedier landlords to sell off their portfolios, creating opportunities for first time owner-occupiers.
In London there are several tenant rights groups (notably in Camden and Brent and the national Generation Rent). If you want things to change, join one.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
