‘Abolishing Section 21 will give tenants security’ – says new Housing Minister

The Government’s commitment to abolish Section 21 evictions will mean tenants enjoy greater security and feel empowered to challenge poor practice and unreasonable rent rises.

That was the message from Felicity Buchan, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities), in a written answer to Conservative MP Chris Pincher.

DOWNFALL

Pincher, famous for bringing about the downfall of Boris Johnson’s government, had asked the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of local authority enforcement of (a) selective licensing designations and (b) other existing measures against landlords in the private rented sector for (i) HMOs and (ii) other private rented accommodation, since 2015.

Buchan went on to say that the Government wants as many tenants as possible to benefit from rent reforms, including students living in the private rented sector.

We expect most students will continue to move in-line with the academic year.”

She replied: “We expect most students will continue to move in-line with the academic year. We will continue to consider the impact of our reforms as we move towards legislation and will publish an impact assessment in due course.

WHITE PAPER

“The Government’s ‘A Fairer Private Rented Sector’ White Paper set out our intention to bolster national oversight of local councils’ enforcement, including by exploring requirements for councils to report on their housing enforcement activity and sharing of best practice.”

“We are also currently assessing the recommendations from the 2019 Independent Review into the effectiveness of selective licensing and will respond in due course.

“We will work with local authorities to gather more information about their selective licensing schemes to ensure they are continuing to deliver the intended outcomes and to help share best practice.”