Renters Reform Bill is delayed – again
3 years ago | 6 comments
Shelter hits out at rent reform delay with dubious figures
11:27 AM, 11th May 2023, 3 years ago
7
The homelessness charity Shelter has hit out at the government’s delayed publication of the Renters’ Reform Bill this week.
It says reform of the private rented sector is crucial because section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions have led to a 50% rise in threatened homelessness in a year.
But the figures being used are dubious at best since section 21 doesn’t ‘threaten homelessness’ and are used by landlords to regain possession of their property.
Most renters who receive a s21 notice will search for a new home to rent.
24,060 households in England were ‘threatened with homelessness’
Pointing to government figures published this week, the charity says that 24,060 households in England were ‘threatened with homelessness’ after a section 21 was issued in 2022.
That is 50% higher than 2021’s figure but the ‘threat of homelessness’ does not mean the household will become homeless.
Shelter also says there were 290,330 households in England facing homelessness last year – a 6% rise from 2021.
‘No renter can be unfairly evicted’
Now the charity is calling for the ‘vital piece of legislation’ to be brought forward urgently so that ‘no renter can be unfairly evicted’.
Shelter says that the Renters’ Reform Bill will scrap section 21 evictions and close a ‘loophole’.
Polly Neate, Shelter’s chief executive, said: “For too long, struggling private tenants have been trapped in an insecure and unstable private rented sector with the constant worry of being one no-fault eviction notice away from homelessness.
“Every day our frontline services hear from desperate families who are facing the very real prospect of homelessness after an eviction.”
‘No options for tenants who are forced out of their homes’
Ms Neate continued: “The cost-of-living crisis coupled with paying through the nose for insecurity and disrepair in the private rented sector where competition for rentals is fierce means that there are little to no options for tenants who are forced out of their homes.”
“Renters have been promised these reforms for four long years, they can’t wait any longer.
“The government must immediately bring forward the long-promised Renters’ Reform Bill which will scrap Section 21 no-fault evictions for good.”
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Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3508 - Articles: 5
11:58 AM, 11th May 2023, About 3 years ago
typical Shelter – using headline grabbing soundbites, incorrect stats and purposeful twisted words. Nothing new here….
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3508 - Articles: 5
12:08 PM, 11th May 2023, About 3 years ago
https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/1768
Member Since February 2016 - Comments: 977 - Articles: 1
12:47 PM, 11th May 2023, About 3 years ago
Shelter really operates in a different universe! And they do not realise of course, that they are a huge part of this problem…
Member Since January 2016 - Comments: 73
12:58 PM, 11th May 2023, About 3 years ago
Shelter really does need to look in the mirror they are the principal cause of all tenant problems – its largely of their making in the first place – whether its lobbying the government and the tax rises hoist upon the sector or the out and out lies spread about the number of evictions.
Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 29
3:23 PM, 11th May 2023, About 3 years ago
Sorry, but we cannot say that a s.21 notice doesn’t threaten homelessness, because that is precisely what the law says. A person is threatened with homelessness if they have received a s.21 notice which will expire within 56 days. Then their Council is under a duty to assist them. Shelter are describing the legal situation correctly.
We are undermining our own case that Councils shouldn’t just be telling people to stay put if they receive notice, if we argue these people aren’t threatened with homelessness. Councils would just be able to turn them away even more than they do now. Councils should be taking them more seriously, not less.
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
4:38 PM, 11th May 2023, About 3 years ago
Yes, typical Shelter, but I have to say I wish the government would get on with it so we all know what we are doing. Delaying it is bad for us landlords as well. especially as by the time it has gone though the lords and has made royal assent it is likely to be October 1st 2024 before it becomes law (or even April 1st 2025).
Member Since March 2018 - Comments: 182
6:01 PM, 11th May 2023, About 3 years ago
Is it still true that Councils and Housing Associations evict more people than the private sector? Do Shelter not mention this in their complaint because Section 21 only affects the private sector?