Government faces backlash from renters

Government faces backlash from renters

0:02 AM, 16th November 2023, About 6 months ago 9

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Renters have lost faith in the government following the delay of Section 21 evictions, according to a new survey.

The survey of more than 1,000 current tenants across England and Wales, commissioned by Benham and Reeves, reveals that 91% of renters believe the government doesn’t care about them or their quality of life.

The government recently announced plans that Section 21 will be shelved until the court system has been improved.

Step in the wrong direction

The ban on Section 21 evictions was first promised by Theresa May back in 2019 and Benham and Reeves found that 90% of tenants feel that it should have been implemented by now.

According to the survey, 92% of renters believe Section 21 evections will never be banned.

Director of Benham and Reeves, Marc von Grundherr, said delaying no-fault evictions “is a step in the wrong direction”.

He said: “Section 21 evictions are certainly a contentious subject, but having been promised greater protections since 2019, you can understand why the nation’s renters have lost faith in the government when it comes to the ban on no-fault evictions.

“It’s understandably a complicated process and one that needs to be properly implemented to ensure both tenant and landlord are properly considered.

He added: “However, given that no real timescale has been provided with regard to the required court reforms, it does feel like a step in the wrong direction when it comes to renters rights.”

Struggle to find somewhere to live

According to the study, only 23% of tenants feel that their living situation is secure while landlords have the ability to serve a Section 21 notice, with the prospect of such eviction causing a heightened degree of stress of anxiety for three-quarters of tenants (76%).

More than 83% of those surveyed stated that should they be evicted, they would struggle to find somewhere else to live.

A spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, said: “The government will deliver a fairer private rented sector for tenants and landlords through the Renters (Reform) Bill, which is currently in the committee stage.”


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Comments

Gromit

10:59 AM, 16th November 2023, About 6 months ago

"Renters have lost faith in the government...."

Join the club!!!

alan thomas

11:48 AM, 16th November 2023, About 6 months ago

In my experience tenants do not know what S21 is.
Yet more assumed facts.

Freda Blogs

12:09 PM, 16th November 2023, About 6 months ago

It’s the ‘no fault eviction’ of course, widely bandied about in the media plus Shelter et al! Unless they’ve been living under a rock (or in one of our lovely homes), they can’t fail to have heard about them. You know, when nasty LLs can get rid of perfect tenants at two months’ notice and can leave them homeless through no fault of their own.

Never let the truth get in the way of a good story…

NewYorkie

13:24 PM, 16th November 2023, About 6 months ago

I don't see a problem including the end of S21 in the Bill, provided there are stronger, clearer, and additional mandatory S8 grounds, accompanied by significantly reduced and guaranteed timescales for the courts to grant possession. The nature of repossessions makes it perfect for virtual and automated hearings, with specialist judges, which don't take up as much physical court time.

Easy rider

13:52 PM, 16th November 2023, About 6 months ago

The director of Bentham and Reeves needs to understand that there are Section 8 Grounds that can be used that are definitely no fault of the tenant. Section 21 is only assumed to be a no fault eviction because no reason needs to be identified.
It’s all immaterial. This government will not deliver anything with regards to the RRB. They are running out of time and ten years hard Labour beckons.

Mick Roberts

15:13 PM, 16th November 2023, About 6 months ago

If they allowed easy eviction & stopped all this below which I've just commented on elsewhere, they'd be able to find somewhere else to live much more easily. If we can't get rid, we not gonna' take them on in the first place.

I’m biggest Benefit Landlord in Nottingham. Housed more than any other private provider over 26 years. And I am now refusing Benefit tenants.
Do we not think it’s time Shelter & the Govt come ask me why?
So we can tackle the cause?

Oops there it is again, £30,000 fine. That will keep more Landlords in for more supply for cheaper rents, shouldn't it? Great thinking Govt & Gove.

Ooh & if it wasn't bad enough already paying tenants £12,000 for a paperwork error for a VERY NICE HOUSE, but no Selective License, the punishment is now £24,000. Absolute Nuts. Govt, you have now just caused more Landlords to sell & increased rents for good tenants that have done nothing wrong.

Surefire way to become a criminal & go to prison-Become a Landlord. You try & help the homeless & u get fined for it-Why bother?

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mick-roberts-landlord-436280ab/

GlanACC

8:35 AM, 17th November 2023, About 6 months ago

I also have no problem with S21 going as long as S8 will cover all eventualities AND the court system is speeded up. Digitisation of the courts will end up like the digitisation of HMRC which has been dripped out and delayed and delayed. Digitisation will in the end be better BUT I assume the tenant will still be able to 'appeal' and opt for a face to face meeting with the judge, which will prolong matters.

Gromit

10:32 AM, 17th November 2023, About 6 months ago

Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 17/11/2023 - 08:35
Going down the Sec.8 route will mean more ongoing work, and will require collecting evidence should you have to evict and make a case on Court.

Evidencing antisocial behaviour could be quite tricky.

PAUL BARTLETT

13:08 PM, 20th November 2023, About 6 months ago

Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 16/11/2023 - 13:24
Presumably the Ministry of Justice is well aware that the Court system is already failing to provide guaranteed timescales for the courts to grant possession. Once they are responsible for what is spread across Sections 8 and 21 there would be no prospect of guaranteed timescales for the courts to grant possession.
They must have noticed that we are leaving as soon as possible to avoid this obviously broken system.

Self-serving nonsense to suggest that the Court Reform and Ombudsman service creation don't matter. You can bet that the resulting chaos would be blamed on those greedy landlords as that's the activists narrative.

Even with a proven Ombudsman service and working Court system the risks on finance remain so that the exodus may well continue..

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