Angela Rayner: Labour will deliver rental reform and abolish Section 21

Landlords in the private rented sector (PRS) will have rental reform – including the abolition of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions – imposed on them, Labour’s Angela Rayner has promised.

The deputy Labour leader was speaking at the Party’s conference in Liverpool where she told delegates: “We will provide stability and certainty for the affordable and social housing market so there is confidence to invest.

“Affordable, social and council houses aren’t just a nice add on.

“Labour will achieve rental reform where the Tories have failed for four and a half years.”

She added: “Finishing the job by banning ‘no fault’ evictions.”

Labour’s bold housing and levelling up vision

Ms Rayner also paid tribute to Lisa Nandy ‘who paved the way for Labour’s bold housing and levelling up vision with grit and determination’.

Ms Nandy unveiled Labour’s controversial Renters Charter at last year’s conference which would hand more powers to tenants and abolishing Section 21.

However, that speech led the National Residential Landlords Association to criticise her language for ‘demonising’ landlords.

Failure to deliver the Renters (Reform) Bill

The deputy Labour leader also criticised the Conservatives for its failure to deliver the Renters (Reform) Bill.

Ms Rayner said: “Rents skyrocketing. Mortgages soaring. The Prime Minister’s speech didn’t even mention ‘housing’ once.

“No doubt that’s because his housing policy is the same as his new smoking policy – increase the price year on year, so eventually no one can buy!”

She continued: “But Conference, good wages and protections aren’t enough if every penny goes simply on keeping a roof over your head, if you live in damp, cramped housing – or have no home at all.

“Safe, secure, affordable housing is no longer the foundation on which people can rely.

“Too many people are stuck paying unaffordable private rents. Or living the nightmare of a home wrapped in flammable cladding.”

Reform the leasehold system

Labour will also reform the leasehold system and Ms Raynor said that the Conservatives had ‘sold or demolished’ more than double the number of social homes than have been delivered.

She said: “Families who need a council house are often stuck in cramped temporary accommodation or at the mercy of private landlords.

“That’s why we will get social homes built, brick by brick.”

Labour will also give first-time buyers ‘first dibs’ on new developments and introduce a comprehensive mortgage guarantee scheme for those who can’t rely on the ‘bank of mum and dad’.

Watch Angela Rayner’s speech below – the promises on the PRS start at 41:57.