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

Rod

12:24 PM, 16th October 2022, About 2 years ago

You still have time this weekend to write to your MP

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.

If you have an example of having to use S21 for antisocial behaviour, please include it and highlight the misery others suffer while landlords wait to remove unsatisfactory tenants.

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

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

0:56 AM, 22nd October 2022, About 2 years ago

And so the merry go round keeps turning. Has government has made a U-turn or are they on a roundabout not knowing which exit to take? Goodbye Mrs Truss!

Rob Crawford

13:10 PM, 28th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Monty Bodkin at 12/10/2022 - 15:18
This maybe true for your rent arrears example given. But it's a totally different case for antisocial behaviour. Particularly if its a tenant in an HMO. Proving antisocial behaviour takes time and by the time you have sufficient data to convince a court that an eviction is justified, all your other tenants have left. Tenants would rather leave than testify making it impossible. This is when a no-fault section 21 comes into play.

Monty Bodkin

16:07 PM, 28th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Rob Crawford at 28/10/2022 - 13:10
That's why I said "theoretically". In practice we both know it's bollox and section 21 is the only realistic option.

The logical thing to do would be to leave section 21 in place until the new improved grounds are shown to be working but they won't do that because they know they won't work.

It's all about politics, not improving the PRS.

LaLo

17:09 PM, 9th November 2022, About A year ago

Words come cheap - seeing is believing in my book!

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