Date Published 11 September 2024
Deputy PM Angela Rayner announces the Government is taking its first step towards scrapping Section 21 'no fault' evictions with the first reading in Parliament of the Renters' Rights Bill.
A bill to ban Section 21 ‘no fault' evictions is to be published in Parliament today signalling the Government's intention to move quickly after winning the General Election in July.
The previous Conservative government failed to deliver on its pledge to scrap Section 21, but the new Labour administration looks set to see it through.
Court delays
Propertymark is making it clear it isn't happy with the move, and has made this clear in comments released today, especially as there is no commitment to deal with backlogs in the courts.
Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, says: 'Whilst Propertymark acknowledges the drive towards improved standards, the UK Government must fully understand and recognise the impact that these changes will have with agents up and down the country left wondering how this legislation will help meet the much-needed demand for homes for people to rent.
'With such significant changes to the current tenancy regime there must be a commitment to ensure the court system and grounds for possession are robust and fit for purpose,' he says.
'Furthermore, without an enhanced, effective and well-resourced enforcement regime from local authorities it is unlikely that any benefits from the reforms will be realised.'
Section 21 banned
In a statement released this morning the Government said: 'No fault evictions will be banned, and renters will receive greater protections and security from eviction thanks to historic legislation to level the playing field between tenants and landlords.
'The Renters' Rights Bill, introduced to Parliament today, will ban Section 21 ‘no-fault' evictions for new and existing tenancies, extend Awaab's Law into the private rented sector and end blanket bans for those on benefits or with children.'
And a new Decent Homes Standard will be applied to the PRS for the first time.
Renters let down
Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner (main picture) says: 'Renters have been let down for too long and too many are stuck in disgraceful conditions, powerless to act because of the threat of a retaliatory eviction hanging over them.
'Most landlords act in a responsible way but a small number of unscrupulous ones are tarnishing the reputation of the whole sector by making the most of the housing crisis and forcing tenants into bidding wars.'
She says 'there can be no more dither and delay'. We must overhaul renting and rebalance the relationship between tenant and landlord. This Bill will do just that and tenants can be reassured this Government will protect them.
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Article from The Negotiator by David Callaghan
