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

LaLo

13:46 PM, 11th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Mortgage lenders won’t like S21. Tenant doesn’t pay rent = LLs can’t pay mortgage = headache for lenders = repossessions = eviction = homelessness = headache for government = going round in circle’s = they shouldn’t have introduced S21 in the first place!!

Rerktyne

14:05 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
When the idiots wake up and stop abusing good landlords by supporting scum tenants then there will be more homes to rent. I no longer rent my flats as I daren’t in case I got a modern “hero” - a scum tenant. I airbnb , make less money as I am often empty but no longer worry about human garbage being forced upon my like golden parasites.

Rod

14:26 PM, 11th October 2022, About 2 years ago

The one area in the white paper where landlords, tenants and government are in agreement is the principal of a property portal. In theory, it could remove the need for selective and additional licencing by becoming a repository for all the required compliance certification, in the same way that EPCs are available online.

The civil servants iHowz spoke to were positive about it, as were NRLA, BPF, Shelter and Gen Rent when they gave evidence to the parliamentary committee in early September.

The big risks are
- it becomes just another failed government IT project
- they make it too complicated
- local authorities and others responsible for compliance fail to use it (think rogue landlord and agent registers)

Mick Roberts

14:34 PM, 11th October 2022, About 2 years ago

I've gave about 9 evictions over 25 years & I'm biggest Benefit Landlord in Nottingham-So that ain't bad. And NOT ONCE has anyone asked me why the Section 21. Yes all was done via Section 21 for rent arrears & damaging house.

I'm currently doing one with Chris from PossessionFriend, started May 2021 & I think won't be court date till about Jan 2023. Happy to give evidence to anyone who wishes to ask, when Labour say Out in 2 months.

David Lester

15:56 PM, 11th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Maybe Section 24 next!

Alexandra

18:01 PM, 11th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Seething Landlord at 11/10/2022 - 13:33
Are you asking what does S21 provide that S8 does not? OK try having a drug dealing scumbag in your house with his competitors breaking in, destroying your house, upsetting local families and stabbing him and no proof and no help from the police. S21 lets me get my house back without having to provide that proof but with a legitimate concern about having that "person" in your beautifully renoved house and being a bloody nuisance to the neighbours. BTW I have lots of lovely happy tenants so I am not just being difficult! If I have misunderstood your meaning I apologise Rgds

Alexandra

18:04 PM, 11th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by LaLo at 11/10/2022 - 13:46
Sorry - I do not understand what you are saying?

Tim Fawcett

18:22 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
So true. Landlords don't just go around throwing tenants onto the street for no reason. There are some appalling tenants out there leaving properties in a state that costs landlords thousands everytime they leave. There's a limit to how much can be covered by deposits. The govt doesn't do anything about them.

Seething Landlord

21:03 PM, 11th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Alexandra at 11/10/2022 - 18:01You have understood my meaning perfectly and have highlighted one of the main problems that repeal of S21 would exacerbate, i.e. dealing with anti-social behaviour.
It is however catered for by S8 ground 14 which I agree is difficult to sustain without strong evidence but that is more of a reason to strengthen the S8 grounds than to retain S21.
The reason I raised the question is that S21 was originally included to cover situations that were not dealt with by S8, such as the landlord wanting to sell. It was never intended to be used for rent arrears but landlords have regularly used it for that purpose to avoid the restrictions of ground 8 which actually represent what the government of the day considered struck a fair balance between landlord and tenant.

Golfman

21:27 PM, 11th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Monty Bodkin at 11/10/2022 - 10:56
I served a s21 notice in early February 2022 and only got the property back after bailiff eviction last week using what is called the "Accelerated Possession" route!! Tenants use every rouse advised by Shelter to take small time landlords to the cleaners. 8 Months.........She has now left her stuff in the property advised by Shelter and I have to look after them as an "Involuntary Bailee". Even if s21 works well- its hell.

This tenant caused havock for over three years during Covid to so many people in the block of flats - there was no way to get her out otherwise.

I could go on- but as an experienced landlord of 25 years - the relentless pressure and demonisation of landlords has been painful. George Osborne and clowns started this battering in ernest and it hasn't stopped since. If this is true I may actually hold off selling my property portfolio down (the recent crash caused by the government to the property market is something else!).

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