When politicians use weasel words, tenants lose their homes

When politicians use weasel words, tenants lose their homes

0:09 AM, 16th February 2024, About 9 months ago 12

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Who knew that weasel words could leave tenants homeless? Who knew that weasel words can mean the opposite of what they do mean?

I’m talking about Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions that are in the news, thanks to Michael Gove announcing they will be banned before the next election.

But WHAT will be banned?

Everyone, Gove, the BBC and tenant activist groups, keep saying that tenants are being evicted from their homes without a reason.

Until recently, this phrase of evicting someone without a reason – it’s rarely ‘no-fault’ – makes landlords look callous wasn’t something that was discussed. This has become a buzzword.

It’s everywhere now and Gove used it last week – siding firmly with tenants against those horrible landlords.

And then the Ashton-under-Lyne foghorn Angela Rayner had the temerity to say Gove used ‘weasel words’.

She said the Tories have ruined the justice system and are using their failure to ‘endlessly postpone fulfilling their promises to renters in the most dishonest way’.

Tenants ‘are being marched from their homes’

Then the incorrigible Polly Neate, the chief executive of Shelter (You know the homelessness charity that doesn’t actually house anyone), said tenants ‘are being marched from their homes’.

Did you picture a mean-looking landlord dressed as an SS soldier? Emotive language always hits the target.

Well listen up love, I have news for you.

I say news but I’m pretty sure you are intelligent enough to understand what Section 21 means but you like playing with words. As does Michael Gove.

He used to be a journalist on The Times so really should know better than to repeat the mantra that tenants are being evicted ‘for no reason’. Even the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg got in on the act, talking about evicting tenants for no reason.

Here’s Gove and Kuenssberg discussing Section 21 ‘where landlords can evict tenants for no reason’.

There is always a reason – section 21 is simply a procedure to regain possession of a property without giving a reason for doing so.

That reason could be for arrears, anti-social behaviour or wanting to move a family member in. Not having to give a reason doesn’t mean that there isn’t a reason at all.

That’s a misconception that is going to cost landlords in the private rented sector money, goodwill and patience.

Landlords could opt for a section 8 eviction

Obviously, landlords could opt for a section 8 eviction and give a mandatory reason for doing so.

But no one is interested in what landlords must deal with.

And I appreciate that there are more tenants with a vote than there are landlords but there’s a sting in the tail with the promise to ban section 21 possessions before the next election.

Can you guess what it might be Mr Gove, Polly and the other deluded loons who are calling for this?

It’s a potential mass sell-off of private rented property.

Can you imagine the furore if landlords did manage to organise and send a section 21 eviction notice on the same day to every tenant before the election?

And then put those homes on the market?

And went on media shows to explain why?

You would be deafened by the sound of Gove frantically trying to find reverse gear as the penny drops with his political chums and tenants being asked to leave.

Landlords don’t evict for no reason

But the best sound of all would be the sound of regret as Polly et al admit that landlords don’t evict for no reason.

There’s always a reason.

I’m reminded of Ben Beadle explaining to a Parliamentary committee of MPs about what would happen if a reason was given.

That’s when the representative from Shelter suddenly realises that its stance has been to protect tenants racking up arrears and making their neighbours’ lives hell.

While smearing hard-working and decent landlords.

He didn’t want the subject discussed by MPs but let’s fast-forward to when Section 21 is scrapped.

After this point, landlords will be giving a reason for eviction, and I’ll wager that the likes of Shelter will try to ignore the rocketing number of arrears evictions.

Instead, they will focus on the needless denigration of tenants, ruining their reputations and making it difficult for them to rent again.

So, I’m guessing that they will push for the eviction reason to be kept confidential.

And how would they do that?

Well, I’d lay good money that Shelter, and their cronies will want the reasons to be ‘non-specific’ so that tenants aren’t tarnished and can find another home to rent.

In other words, Section 21 evictions in all but name!

Landlords sell up, rents rocket

Talk about shooting yourself in the foot when landlords sell up, rents rocket and tenants have nowhere to live.

And it’s all because of buzzwords and what they mean.

There hasn’t been an honest conversation on this subject yet. No one wants to hear it.

I get that, I really do.

But when the Housing Secretary can close his ears and brain as to what Section 21 is and the ramifications of preventing landlords from gaining possession of their property, then I can’t help but smile.

There’s a day of reckoning coming.

Landlords and the private rented sector have been a political football for far too long and we need to be heard.

But there is still no appreciation of what decent, rent-paying tenants will lose out on.

And that’s the real shame of Gove committing to a buzzword policy.

You heard it here first – higher rents, fewer homes and more homeless.

And still, the likes of Shelter and Generation Rent will be bleating about tenants being evicted without housing anyone.

Buzzword policy? Buzz off, Gove.

Until next time,

The Landlord Crusader


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Cider Drinker

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8:31 AM, 16th February 2024, About 9 months ago

It should be remembered that most of the mandatory grounds for possession under Section 8 of the Housing Act are also ‘no fault’ of the tenant.

A better fix would be to have a reason listed on the Section 21 Notice so that data could be gathered. This data would show how often a tenant is evicted just for fun. Just so that the landlord could have a void period. We all know that landlords love a void period (I have one right now, £125 per month for Council Tax, £30 per month for standing charges for gas and electricity, it’s a joy).

Tories will be increasingly more and more desperate to limit their losses at the next election. Stand by for more punches.

Reluctant Landlord

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8:55 AM, 16th February 2024, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 16/02/2024 - 08:31there is absolutely NOTHING stopping any landlord when it comes to S8 listing ALL breaches of tenancy under the discretionary grounds as well as the mandatory ground that most will inevitably use.
At the mo I issue S21's as it stops dead the tenant getting Legal Aid and challenging the notice with the inevitable 'disrepair' defence that can be thrown in just to delay matters (especially when they have an ambulance chasing solicitor/housing 'specialist' in tow)
The reality is I wont get any rent arrears back via a S8 anyway and there is always the option of going through MCOL if I wanted to at a later date in my own time when the tenancy is ended and all costs including damage to the property are properly totted up. Also hitting them with a sting in the tale of a CCJ just caps it, especially if they have been a really nasty and difficult tenant.
Once S21 goes, I will go for for the mandatory grounds BUT be making it VERY clear that this has only come about because of the breaches in tenancy and so I will list every single one in the discretionary section. It cuts dead any defence anyway as the mandatory ground is used. It also means that when the councils come begging for you to keep the tenant there - you can send them a copy of it. They can decide if the reason for the S8 is due to the wilfull actions of the tenant or not!. I doubt very much many will regard the detail as evidence of anything other than making themselves 'voluntarily homeless'. With creaking lists and no accommodation, I cant see the council being in a rush to declare they have a duty to house....
Shelter and all those do good charities will also then see in black and white every reason why possession was sought and really see the reasons why LL's evict.
They have no idea of the tsunami that's going to hit...
I suggest EVERYONE does the same.

Cider Drinker

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9:09 AM, 16th February 2024, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 16/02/2024 - 08:55
A absolutely agree.

I’ve never issued a Section 8 nor a Section 21.

In over 20 years of being a landlord, I’ve had two difficult tenants. The first was dragged off in handcuffs by the Police and did a moonlight flit a week later. The second passed away just days before I planned to employ the services of an eviction specialist.

Paul Essex

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10:10 AM, 16th February 2024, About 9 months ago

I strongly suspect that when labour wins they are going to immediately stop any Section 21 evictions even those already started (assuming Give has not already done this) it may already be too late to get an eviction complete before the election in some areas.

Reluctant Landlord

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10:28 AM, 16th February 2024, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Paul Essex at 16/02/2024 - 10:10
then issue a S8 immediately on the grounds you intend to sell then but ALSO fill in the details on the discretionary grounds.

I'm veering towards playing them at their own game if necessary. They are making good landlords turn 'rogue' by default by having to get round a system that is too far weighted in favour of the tenant.

'If only the government had not got involved' is exactly what I want tenants to realise......

Doug Ellison

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18:21 PM, 16th February 2024, About 9 months ago

Of course we all know why the Tories are in favour of this.There’s more tenants than Landlords and therefore more votes to be had.
Wouldn’t it be good if politicians voted for what they believed in rather than what gains them votes.
Oh-there goes a flying pig😡

Cider Drinker

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10:05 AM, 17th February 2024, About 9 months ago

The White Paper clearly stated that there would be a reasonably long transition to ending S21.

Scroll to the bottom of Page 34…

https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8658/CBP-8658.pdf

Mick Roberts

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16:24 PM, 17th February 2024, About 9 months ago

What do these people not understand.
If u stop a person having his/her property back, then you have no property. They don't provide the property in the first place.

This is what they are creating. A shortage which is hurting them. Tell u what, let's make it even harder for the Landlord-That should work shouldn't it. Dozo's.

TheMaluka

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17:28 PM, 17th February 2024, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Mick Roberts at 17/02/2024 - 16:24
"What do these people not understand." A rather long list, bettter to ask what they do understand.

Mick Roberts

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5:39 AM, 18th February 2024, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by TheMaluka at 17/02/2024 - 17:28
Ha ha yes. Good way of putting it.

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