‘Retaliatory evictions’ should be reconsidered, says ARLA

The Association of Residential Landlords (ARLA) is calling on the Government to reconsider a recent amendment to the Deregulation Bill which prevents so-called retaliatory evictions after May’s General Election. The House of Lords in February approved a Government amendment to the Deregulation Bill, given Royal Assent last week, which will bring an end to so-called ‘revenge evictions’ by private sector landlords tired of moaning tenants. The new legislation will impose a ban on any landlord from serving a section 21 eviction notice on a tenant for a minimum period of six months if they make a complaint about the state of their property. But the legislation has been criticised for imposing rules that can be exploited by bad tenants. David Cox (left), Managing Director of ARLA, commented, “The provisions in the Act designed to prevent retaliatory evictions by landlords, creates a number of unintended consequences. ARLA supports the principle of legislation seeking to stop landlords from evicting tenants in response to a genuine disrepair issue. The measures will mean that protections previously afforded to compliant landlords may be eroded by dishonest tenants using the new powers to defend against legitimate possession proceedings; possibly by intentionally causing damage to properties.” The…