Housing minister under pressure to name Section 21 evictions ban date
The Renters' Reform Coalition is urging supporters to contact Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook to demand he ends the seven-year wait for the abolition of Section 21 Notices.
A tenant activist group has launched an online campaign to force Matthew Pennycook (pictured) to reveal when he will ban Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions once the Renters’ Rights Bill becomes law.
The Renters’ Reform Coalition says renters are being left “in limbo” without knowing when protections will come into force. The campaign website states: “Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook must announce a commencement date without delay. The day when landlords can no longer evict people for no reason can’t come soon enough.”
The Renters’ Rights Bill completed its expected final parliamentary debate last week and is now awaiting Royal Assent. However, the Government has not announced when many provisions will take effect, having previously said it would be ‘immediate’.
Secondary legislation
While some measures like open-ended tenancies will go live immediately upon Royal Assent, others will require secondary legislation and implementation periods.
The coalition argues the Government promised to ban Section 21 evictions “immediately” over a year ago, but renters are still waiting.
Next April will be 7 years to the day since a Prime Minister first promised an end to Section 21 – it would be a great shame if these evictions were still happening then.”
The campaign provides a template letter for supporters to send to Pennycook, which can be personalised with individual renting experiences. The standardised text reads: “Next April will be 7 years to the day since a Prime Minister first promised an end to Section 21 – it would be a great shame if these evictions were still happening then.”
The template adds: “Now that the Bill has passed the latest stage in the House of Commons, we need to know when it will actually come into force.”
Pennycook has committed to providing sufficient notice and that he will work with tenant and landlord organisations ahead of its implementation, with plans for a communications campaign and guidance suite.
Trade bodies, though, have called for at least six months to ensure a smooth transition to the new regulatory framework.
The Renters’ Reform Coalition is a campaign group comprising 19 organisations, including Shelter, Crisis, Generation Rent and ACORN.
We are a small, independent agency based in West Yorkshire, and I fully agree with John Redden’s comments. Having worked in the industry for 21 years, I can say that I have issued only a handful of Section 21 Notices during that time – all for legitimate reasons, such as when a landlord wished to regain possession of their property to move back in, accommodate a family member, or sell the property.
The vast majority of landlords and letting agents are decent, responsible individuals who go above and beyond to ensure their tenants are satisfied. Unfortunately, as is often the case, the Government has chosen to vilify our sector and paint us all with the same brush.
Just as with the Tenant Fees Act 2019, the Government’s heavy-handed approach – using a sledgehammer to crack a nut – has had unintended consequences. It was, in fact, tenants who bore the brunt of that legislation through increased rents following its introduction.
The Renters Reform Bill will not improve the situation; it will only make matters worse. The Government, with all its pomp and circumstance, seems completely detached from the realities faced by those of us working on the ground.
Perhaps my experience does not mirror the UK lettings market but looking back at the 23 years we have operated I cannot think of any landlord who “evicts tenants for no reason”. The three reasons are 1) wishes to sell usually because they have reached retirement 2) Moving back into the property after living abroad 3) very rare for us rent arrears. None of the above are no reason.
Sadly what the protest groups have done is make life difficult for the vast majority of people who need/want to rent as the supply nationally is reducing. The landlord will still be able to request the return of the property for the above reasons it just may take a little longer.
Speaking with tenants they simply cannot see this bill improving things for tenants 1) supply is reduced 2) The cannot fathom out how two months notice helps them 3) This is the most common they cannot see how no fixed term gives them more security it actually is making them nervous.
Perhaps I just have a great set of landlords and tenants who live in balance with each other.