17 JULY 2024

Grainger welcomes planning and rent reform plans set out in King's Speech

Grainger plc, the UK's largest listed residential landlord with a c.£3.4bn operational portfolio of c.11,153 rental homes and a £1.5bn pipeline of a further c.5,000 purpose-built rental homes, today responds to the proposals set out in the Labour Government's King's Speech.

Helen Gordon, Chief Executive Officer of Grainger, said:

Planning reform

"The proposals set out in the King's Speech to speed up housing delivery, particularly through reform of the planning system, is welcome and will give housing providers, such as Grainger, greater certainty to invest and build homes across the country. Ensuring local plans are in place with local housing targets, and removing planning uncertainty for housing schemes that comply with local plans is a very welcome change and aligned to Grainger's primary focus of housing delivery on brownfield land in urban centres with high housing demand."

Rent reform

"Confirmation that rent reform will be brought forward is welcome, as is the new Government's recent public rejection of rent controls. Sensible rent reform which gives renters greater rights to remain in their homes and improve standards can also provide greater certainty for investors and landlords and is aligned to Grainger's responsible approach to renting. The abolition of no-fault evictions is welcome when coupled with a robust means for landlords to address poor behaviour amongst a minority of renters, protecting neighbours and local communities."

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For further information, please contact:

Kurt Mueller, Director of Corporate Affairs, Grainger plc:                                     +44 (0) 20 7940 9500

Julie Deighton, Director of Communications, Grainger plc:                      +44 (0) 20 7940 9500

Ginny Pulbrook / Geoffrey Pelham-Lane, Camarco:                     +44 (0) 20 3757 4992 / 4985