Shadow Housing Secretary Sir James Cleverly says he has been given notice to quit his rented home, blaming the incoming Renters’ Rights Act.

Cleverly told The Neg, “This was an entirely predictable outcome, and indeed we predicted it during the passage of this Bill. But this arrogant Labour Government didn’t listen to the warnings from us or the sector.

“And now good landlords are selling up and leaving the market, renters face fewer options and higher rates. Labour have hurt the very people they claimed they would help.”

“Good landlords are selling up and leaving the market, renters face fewer options and higher rates. Labour have hurt the very people they claimed they would help.”

He broke the news that he himself had become a victim of the Act, at the recent London Housing Summit, saying, “I have just personally received a notice from my landlord, who is selling the house that I rent.”

“That experience is replicated thousands of times across the country as a tenure type. The private rented sector is basically being regulated out of existence by this government,” he told public sector housing magazine, Inside Housing.

Wrong direction

Even though the idea was first floated by Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove, under a Conservative government, Cleverly has previously described the legislation as the “wrong direction of travel”, warning it risks a landlord exodus, reduced supply and higher rents.

It is not clear if the eviction occurred in his constituency in Braintree, Essex or in London.

It seems not even our politicians are immune to the effects of the Renters’ Rights Act.”

James Benson of Prime Portfolio, who has housed many MPs over the years and whose firm specialises in Westminster and Victoria, said: “It seems not even our politicians are immune to the effects of the Renters’ Rights Act.”

Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, added: “The Renters’ Rights Act will bring profound change for those who rent across England, with the new legislation due to be introduced in three distinct phases.

“The first phase, due to take effect on 1st May, includes major changes which landlords must adhere to, including the abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions. However, it’s important to recognise that decisions within the rental market are rarely driven by a single factor.

“While the upcoming reforms are clearly part of the picture, landlords are also weighing a range of considerations, including taxation changes, rising interest rates, ongoing regulatory requirements, and wider economic pressures.”