Michael Gove urged to focus on getting rental reform ‘right’

Landlords are calling on Michael Gove to get the planned Rental Reform Bill right for both landlords and tenants.

The call comes after Mr Gove was reinstated as the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities secretary by the new Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak.

The cabinet minister had previously been fired by Boris Johnson in July.

Mr Gove had unveiled plans for the abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions and for assured shorthold tenancies to be replaced with periodic tenancies.

While there has been no announcement about whether the new administration will continue with the Renters’ Reform Bill, the National Residential Landlords Association says Mr Gove should focus on the country’s landlords.

‘Plans to reform the private rented sector’

Ben Beadle, the NRLA’s chief executive, said: “The NRLA congratulates Michael Gove on his reappointment as Housing Secretary. Top of his in tray will be progressing with the plans he previously worked on to reform the private rented sector, including ending Section 21 repossessions.

“Our survey data shows that most can envisage operating without Section 21 provided other proposals, such as on court reform and reformed grounds for possession, have their confidence.”

He added: “We will work constructively with the new Secretary of State to ensure the final reform package has the confidence of responsible landlords and tenants alike.

“This includes the need for action to tackle anti-social tenants, scrapping plans that would decimate the student housing market, and reforming the courts to ensure legitimate possession cases are dealt with more swiftly.”

‘Reforms to the private rented sector in England’

Timothy Douglas, the head of policy and campaigns for Propertymark, said: “The Levelling Up agenda and reforms to the private rented sector in England would appear to be back and will take centre stage in the new government as Michael Gove returns to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

“Mr Gove previously focussed on regional disparities and fixing the cladding scandal, but he now needs to go further and tackle the supply crisis in the private rented sector, implement the next steps for leasehold reform, set out the UK Government’s plans for home buying and selling as well engage with the sector to get more people onto the housing ladder and stimulate right sizing to release large, family homes.”

‘Providing a Fairer Private Rented Sector’

Kate Davies, the executive director of the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA), said: “When he last held the DCLUHC brief, Mr Gove published two important consultations – one in February this year on ‘Levelling up’ and a second in June on ‘Providing a Fairer Private Rented Sector‘.

“As one of the most experienced Ministers in the new Cabinet, Mr Gove has a reputation for getting things done – and had already made progress on a number of key issues before his abrupt departure from the Johnson administration.

“Instead of facing the prospect of yet another new face at DLUHC, we, therefore, welcome Mr Gove’s return and hope that this signals the importance that both he and the new Prime Minister attach to this vital role.”