16:55 PM, 12th February 2024, About 9 months ago 21
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Housing Secretary Michael Gove has pledged to ban Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions in England by the next general election, which is due by January 2025.
No-fault evictions allow landlords to evict tenants without giving a reason, which campaigners say leaves renters vulnerable to unfair treatment and insecurity.
The Conservative Party promised to end this practice in its 2019 manifesto, but the Renters (Reform) Bill to implement it has not yet been passed by Parliament.
The government has also said that the court system needs to be improved before a ban can take effect, which has raised fears that the reform could be delayed for years.
However, in an interview with the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Mr Gove said he was confident that the ban would be in place by the next election.
He said: “We will have outlawed it, and we will have put the money into the courts in order to ensure that they can enforce that.”
The Bill would also limit the circumstances under which landlords can evict tenants in England, such as when they want to sell the property or move in themselves or a close relative.
Mr Gove said he recognised the need to deal with the ‘abuse’ of no-fault evictions by a ‘small minority of unscrupulous landlords’ who use it to increase rents or silence complaints.
He added: “It is the case that there are a small minority of unscrupulous landlords who use the threat of eviction either to jack up rents or to silence people who are complaining about the quality of their homes.”
Watch Mr Gove making his pledge to end Section 21 evictions:
Mr Gove also defended the government’s record on housebuilding, saying that it was taking action to increase the supply of homes in England.
The Conservative Party’s 2019 manifesto pledged to build 300,000 homes a year in England by the mid-2020s, but the latest figures show that only 234,397 new homes were added in 2022-23.
He said he was “doing everything I can” to persuade the Chancellor to invest more money in housing in the spring Budget.
He also revealed that the government would announce measures next week to make it easier to convert buildings such as office blocks and department stores into new homes.
There will also be incentives to developers to build on brownfield land to allow ‘tens of thousands of new homes’ to be built.
In response to Mr Gove’s pledge to end Section 21, Tom Darling, campaign manager of the Renters’ Reform Coalition, suggested the government had ‘dragged their feet’ on abolishing no-fault evictions.
He said: “We will hold the government to this commitment.
“We’ll also be making sure the government don’t give in to landlord attempts to gut the bill – if these evictions are banned in name only then the government won’t be getting a pat on the back from anyone.”
Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner, who is also the party’s shadow housing secretary, said: “These are yet more weasel words from Michael Gove after years of broken promises.
“Having broken the justice system, the Tories are now using their own failure to indefinitely delay keeping their promises to renters in the most underhand way.”
On X, formerly Twitter, the National Residential Landlords Association’s chief executive, Ben Beadle, said: “Renters will be provided with a legitimate reason under the new provisions – the reality is though, this Bill doesn’t address underlying causes why evictions might take place.
“Renter groups clearly want to stop landlords from selling up with a bonkers two year moratorium on landlords giving notice.
“Far better they join our calls to reverse tax changes and encourage investment into the PRS to give much needed supply.”
He added: “By encouraging investment, there will be more homes, less disruption and it will actually reduce rents. Their plans will only choke off supply further.
“Yes, of course, social housing is part of the answer – but we need solutions now, not in a decade.”
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Disillusioned landlord
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Sign Up10:46 AM, 12th February 2024, About 9 months ago
Well I for one do not believe a single word this guy says TBH. Look at this statement above
".....Mr Gove said he was confident that the ban (section 21) would be in place by the next election.
He said: “We will have outlawed it, and we will have put the money into the courts in order to ensure that they can enforce that.”
So, money in place, not to make sure that the court system is fair and workable for both parties, but to enforce AGAINST landlords, again. Time to get out me think!
Luke P
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Sign Up10:49 AM, 12th February 2024, About 9 months ago
Didn’t he/Government. already ‘vow’ to reform the Courts before bringing an end to s.21??
Disillusioned landlord
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Sign Up11:03 AM, 12th February 2024, About 9 months ago
The very same 'snake in the grass' They will bow to pressure and introduce this to keep pace with Labour's ranting on the same subject. They will throw some money at it, but not to create a fair and efficient system but to fund tenant side mischief against the Landlord, money the country cannot afford and will achieve nothing but anarchy. At the end of the day there will be no PRS and no homes to rent and then the government and the country will be really up sh*t creek without a paddle! Oh, should I mention that the main losers again will be the very people that these actions are supposed to help. Its time the country woke up to really see what is happenning before it is too late
Mike231
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Sign Up11:41 AM, 12th February 2024, About 9 months ago
Absolute nonsense, Grove talking out of his a##e again there is not enough time to get this through in the election cycle and singularity the ban on Section 21 is tied up with other issues, Labour will inevitably get this through in 2025, as per previous comments tennants will be the casualties, in this fiasco, most landlords I know are selling up! So am I!
moneymanager
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Sign Up14:18 PM, 12th February 2024, About 9 months ago
'Belive the government, S8 and the Court process will be 95% SAFE AND EFFECTIVE', can I be inniculated from BS please.
Reluctant Landlord
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Sign Up14:18 PM, 12th February 2024, About 9 months ago
Ben Beadle, said: “Renters will be provided with a legitimate reason under the new provisions...."
Yes, so the bleating about tenants being evicted for 'no reason' stops dead when this comes into effect. All will be laid clear in black and white. I cant see Shelter going hell for leather on the PRS if its clear for example rent arrears feature highly. I suppose they will divert their aim to the government who are clearly not paying enough benefit support...? Cant wait to see how Flip Flop answers that....
I use S21 as quicker than S8 especially knowing I wont in reality see the rent arrears/cost of damage reimbursed and no point leaving yourself open for the S8 to be challenged either. T always uses delaying tactics and so does the ambulance chasing Legal Aid solicitor. Stops that dead.
Now all I am going to do if I have need to evict is to declare I will be selling (mandatory) and then list ALL the other (discretionary) reasons so it's plain and clear to everyone - including the council if I know the tenants will be going back to them cap in hand for help.... I will ensure I send them a copy of the S8 in all its glory once the tenants have been evicted. They can then work out themselves if they determine they have a duty or not to rehouse and if they made themselves 'voluntarily homeless' or not - NOT MY PROBLEM.
PAUL BARTLETT
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Sign Up14:47 PM, 12th February 2024, About 9 months ago
Since it's clear that the RRB requires a working court system and the minister has no data on how it's doing now (not working ) and what service level would be acceptable for the reform to work, I conclude that is election propaganda of no credibility.
Labour should be getting MoJ responsible minister to come clean on court service levels..
a.murray18@ntlworld.com
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Sign Up15:35 PM, 12th February 2024, About 9 months ago
Michael Gove has to be the slimiest, two faced back stabbing slug I have ever seen . He can not lie in bed straight. An absolute waste of space , just looking at his rubbery face makes me want to throw up.
rebecca anelay
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Sign Up18:17 PM, 12th February 2024, About 9 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Disillusioned landlord at 12/02/2024 - 11:03
Totally agree BUT the people who are going to be homeless and their reps just don't seem to understand!!!
Why is it so hard for Shelter to see that Landlords will sell up if they can't get their property back !! I wonder if I'm missing something.
Down to 2 houses now, and praying someone will guide me through this mess. !!!
Andrew Mcgaulley
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Sign Up18:30 PM, 12th February 2024, About 9 months ago
Reply to the comment left by at 12/02/2024 - 15:35
You have obviously haven't seen Mr Hunt, he is slimey personified.