Government will ‘shelve’ plans to abolish Section 21 evictions

Government will ‘shelve’ plans to abolish Section 21 evictions

10:24 AM, 11th October 2022, About 2 years ago 65

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The government is looking at shelving legislation that would ban no-fault evictions, a newspaper reports.

According to The Times, the move to end no-fault evictions which enable landlords to end a tenancy without reason will not only be shelved – but may be scrapped completely.

The Prime Minister, Liz Truss, is looking at measures that will help boost growth and Ministers believe that shelving the legislation that was put together by Michael Gove will help in this process.

Apparently, the abolition of Section 21 is not thought to be a priority by the Government and will be delayed.

Measure looks set to be scrapped completely

However, The Times says another minister admits that the measure looks set to be scrapped completely.

The issue is that not abolishing Section 21 will mean ditching a manifesto commitment made by Boris Johnson’s administration.

A government spokesman told the newspaper: “Everyone deserves to live in a safe and secure home. A fair deal for renters remains a priority, and we are carefully considering our next steps for the rental market.”

‘Reforms are desperately needed to support the sector’

Responding to The Times’ report that the Government is considering scrapping plans to end Section 21, ‘no explanation’ repossessions, Ben Beadle, the chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association said: “Whatever the Government’s plans, a wide range of reforms are desperately needed to support the sector.

“The supply crisis in the sector must be addressed urgently, while much more needs to be done to root out criminal and rogue landlords.

“Likewise vulnerable tenants can and should be better supported by unfreezing housing benefit rates.”

He added: “The NRLA will continue to work with all parties to ensure that reforms are fair and workable and command the support of tenants and responsible landlords.”

‘If this is true it is shameful’

Alicia Kennedy, a director of Generation Rent, tweeted: “Totally flabbergasted. The @Conservatives commitment to abolish evictions for no reason was made after a consultation, at a General Election, confirmed by 2 Prime Ministers at 3 Queens Speeches – if this is true it is shameful.”

Lisa Nandy, the Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, tweeted: “Millions of people are only a few weeks from losing their home through no fault of their own.

“The Tories promised to stop this at the last election. Now this.

“You cannot trust a single word they say.”

Matthew Pennycook, the Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning, tweeted: “Liz Truss has decided to betray private renters.

“Labour will abolish section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions and strengthen tenants’ rights through a new renters’ charter.”


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Comments

N Locksley

11:30 AM, 11th October 2022, About 2 years ago

>a good landlord that serves a S21 and goes through the proper legal process; However much the process is flawed (time delays cost etc) we still follow it.
>>It takes months, if not years, to evict a tenant.
I have a cliient who knows the Court system backwards and despite the most obvious case for s21, we're 9 months into the process.
I'm all for reform or no-fault abolition, but we also need protection on landlord sides, such as a court system tha tis properly staffed and resourced and also being able to insist on guarantors, so that landlords are properly protected from deliberate rent arrears and damage...otherwise landlords will continue to select on job, prospects and historical landlord references, which makes it very hard for new tenants

Rod

11:36 AM, 11th October 2022, About 2 years ago

iHowz had a constructive meeting with civil servants at the end of September, where we made the unintended consequences of ditching S21 clear to them. This includes the impact of antisocial behaviour on other tenants and neighbours and the risk of landlords no longer offering a home to anyone unable to offer a perfect reference and rental history.
We also highlighted that until the courts are functioning properly, landlords are waiting many months while non-paying tenants effectively enjoy a rent-free home.
In the event that the plans to abolish S21are shelved, that would also put paid to the need for automatic 2 month periodic tenancies.
Unfortunately, we are still pushing the BEIS to publish the new MEES/EPC requirements. Given the recent decision to pull energy efficiency adverts, it seems unlikely that we see the confirmed new EPC requirement this year.

JB

11:55 AM, 11th October 2022, About 2 years ago

“The supply crisis in the sector must be addressed urgently, while much more needs to be done to root out criminal and rogue landlords.' Ben Beadle

Come on Ben stop mentioning Crimial & Rogue Landlords, its does nothing to improve our reputation.

Neither does mentioninag 'a wide range of reforms are desperately needed' which brings up images of scrapping section 21.

Its a matter of perception and this doesn't help

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

12:11 PM, 11th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by JB at 11/10/2022 - 11:55
I agree, criminals are just criminals.

I’m sure there must be teachers, Doctors, nurses and fire fighters who are criminals but we don’t refer to them as criminal teachers, criminal doctors, criminal nurses and criminal fire fighters do we?

JB

12:14 PM, 11th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by JB at 11/10/2022 - 11:55
We need a plethora of good words mentioned in the same paragraph as 'landlord' to bolster our reputation - which is currenlty just about as low as you can get.

Denise G

12:50 PM, 11th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118 at 11/10/2022 - 10:43
No landlord would EVER evict a tenant without having a good reason to do so - why would they???

It's long past time that someone challenged the ridiculous misnamed description of a Section 21 notice and gave it a name that describes what it is actually for.

Sam B

13:01 PM, 11th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Call me cynical, but is it actually possible they do not wan't the headlines of eviction via section (clause 2 mortgage lenders eviction). Is the the real reason for this?

PH

13:02 PM, 11th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by paul robinson at 11/10/2022 - 11:02
Yep...enjoy it while it lasts .

Chris @ Possession Friend

13:18 PM, 11th October 2022, About 2 years ago

' Unintended consequences ' would be too great a price to pay - I think that realisation already, even before banning Sec 21 is being recognised.
100's of Tenant applicants for each property, bidding OVER the asking rent to secure the scarce properties on offer.
Government need to go a lot further in helping landlords to provide accommodation to stop the situation deteriorating further.
Its time Tenant campaign groups smelled the coffee.

Seething Landlord

13:33 PM, 11th October 2022, About 2 years ago

What exactly are the grounds involving fault on the part of the tenant that are not in principle already catered for by S8?

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