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

Monty Bodkin

15:18 PM, 12th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Seething Landlord at 12/10/2022 - 12:45
"Was it anticipated that S21 would become the default method once the fixed-term had expired?"

No, theoretically, section 8 is the better method.

Section 8 can be used during the fixed term (for tenancy breaches), has shorter notice periods and can include a money order for arrears.

Seething Landlord

17:47 PM, 12th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Monty Bodkin at 12/10/2022 - 15:18
So looking at it the other way round, what was the intended purpose of S21?

18:10 PM, 12th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Chris @ Possession Friend at 11/10/2022 - 22:08
How are rent arrears grounds easily defeated?

In Scotland it looks like you can
1. Blame it all on Housing Benefit errors / delays. It's always some one else's fault.
2. Demonstrate an attempt to repay the arrears. I won a case against a previous tenant who was convicted of causing criminal damage. Well when i say that I won the case, he pays me £0.63 per month. Sometimes. LOL.

Monty Bodkin

20:32 PM, 12th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Seething Landlord at 12/10/2022 - 17:47
"what was the intended purpose of S21?"

From fading memory, the intention was to give landlords enough confidence to provide quality rented housing away from the awful slum council housing of the time.

It worked magnificently, millions of people escaped state dependency. There are now more people living in the PRS than in council housing.

Reluctant Landlord

20:40 PM, 12th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Seething Landlord at 12/10/2022 - 12:26
not sure that will be the case...many will have left already before that point!

Seething Landlord

22:02 PM, 12th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Monty Bodkin at 12/10/2022 - 20:32
Thanks Monty. From the comments here and elsewhere it seems pretty clear that for many the repeal of S21 will destroy that confidence.

Rerktyne

20:21 PM, 13th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Seething Landlord at 12/10/2022 - 12:26
Keep on wishing! Decent landlords are the whipping boys of those who do not want to house bad tenants themselves: the councils. That’s why they want the landlords to be stuck with them for as long as possible. If landlords were allowed to evict at will the stock of rentals would surge. Landlords would feel secure. As for the bad landlords no legislation will stop them. I know of one who simply sends his thugs round. He knows there’s no proof against him : always succeeds. Section 21 is the best thing.

Rod

9:01 AM, 14th October 2022, About 2 years ago

The large number of posts here in just 3 days, shows how concerned landlords are about the proposed repeal of S21.
iHowz urge all landlords to write to their MPs this weekend explaining their concerns and enclosing a copy of our paper, which includes our proposal on modifying S21 to ensure it is not used by the unscrupulous. The paper also includes our list of supporting amendments to S8 required to make the recovery of properties more dependable.
Our campaign
https://ihowz.uk/the-unintended-consequences-of-losing-the-section-21-notice/
The link to our paper (summary)
https://ihowz.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/The-potential-effect-of-losing-Section-21-November-2021-short-summary-only-FINAL-version-2.pdf
With Tories in listening mode, please take 10 minutes this weekend to write to your MP
If you would like to meet us in person, we will be at the London National Landlord Investment Show on 2 November
https://ihowz.uk/meetings/

Reluctant Landlord

9:06 AM, 14th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Rerktyne at 13/10/2022 - 20:21
and that is the reality. There will always be the ones that flought the law regardless of whatever licencing etc is required or home standards are needed.

Good LL's will be pushed to the point it becomes uneconomic or too restrictive and the straw will break the camels back. Good LL;s will leave the PRS. Its not rocket science.

In its place? Either the properties will be bought by private buyers for their own use, or second homes or seasonal let's. If there is no money in it, why would anyone BTL?

The only other groups interested would be those that will use the property to let, but avoid all the regs and laws. Its easy money and easy pickings. Lots of desperate tenants and no accommodation available.

The shift should be on nailing down the HMO's that are already out there and the bad LL's that the councils know about already. Every areas has its well known and seemingly 'untouchable' rouge LL who to disregards the basic H&S and standard requirements.

(this issue is here - Ive heard it from a council employee....if you go hell for leather after a bad HMO LL for example, you end up with the tenants back in emergency accommodation. More cost to the Council and no where to place people....)

Housing should be a race to the top for standards, not an inevitable (yet avoidable) drop to the bottom.

Jay

21:21 PM, 15th October 2022, About 2 years ago

I agree with Mark, always a reason. I have used section 21 only twice in over 20 years of renting mainly HMO’s. Because it was absolutely necessary for the well being of the tenants. Ultimately as landlords we have a duty of care to all tenants. In these cases a section 21 worked perfectly well, and was needed.

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