EXCL Government urged to stick to Theresa May's pledge to scrap 'revenge evictions'
2 min read
Ministers have been urged to stick to Theresa May's pledge to scrap rules that allow tenants to be kicked out of their homes at short notice without good reason.
The former Prime Minister's government agreed to get rid of the controversial “no-fault evictions”, known as Section 21 notices, to protect renters from "unethical" landlords.
A consultation was launched in July, but the changes were not brought in before she quit Downing Street.
Former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron is now calling for a commitment from Boris Johnson’s new administration that they will go through with the plans.
He has written to the recently-appointed Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick, saying that Section 21s create a “renting environment that pits landlord against tenant, instead of fostering healthy relationships and removing the burden of worry."
Mr Farron added: “Many tenants are hamstrung and feel they have no alternative but to live in sub-standard housing, fearful of eviction if they raise the issue with their landlord, and this is no way for anyone to live.”
Former Housing Secretary James Brokenshire announced the decision to change the law on “revenge evictions” in April, saying it will “effectively create open-ended tenancies, bringing greater peace of mind to millions of families who live in rented accommodation”.
Mrs May said that under Section 21 “millions of responsible tenants could be uprooted by their landlord with little notice, and often little justification”.
Mr Farron told PoliticsHome: “As the Tory Brexit mess continues to subsume our politics, the biggest issues facing our country are being drowned out, delayed, or ignored entirely.
“The housing crisis is leaving people unable to afford a home of their own, trapped in a rental market where the odds are stacked against them, or even worse sleeping on the streets. We cannot afford to delay action any longer.
“That is why I have written to Secretary of State to not only urge the Government to follow through on the promise to scrap no fault evictions, but also enact further rental reform such as landlord registers and encouraging longer term tenancies.
“The housing crisis is a human crisis and it needs politicians to treat is as such.”
A spokesperson from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “The Government is committed to delivering a fairer, good quality and more affordable private rented sector.
“We are consulting on Section 21 of the Housing Act. The consultation closes on 12 October and the Government will respond in due course.”
PoliticsHome Newsletters
PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe
