0:01 AM, 12th September 2024, About 2 months ago 5
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A poll has found that six in 10 Brits support banning Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions under the Renters’ Rights Bill.
The government has given the Bill its first reading which will see Section 21 eviction being banned, along with a raft of other measures affecting landlords in England.
Respondents were asked by polling firm YouGov, if they support such policies which will generally affect only private rented sector tenants – though only a fifth of the public are private renters.
It found that 60% of people would support a ban on ‘no-fault’ evictions – preferring landlords to give a valid ground for repossession by law.
The poll reveals that the government’s plan for the Bill has supporters across the political spectrum, from just over half of Conservative and Reform UK voters (51-54%) to two-thirds of Labour voters (67%).
It also, not surprisingly, has the backing of eight in 10 (78%) private renters.
However, one in five Brits (21%) opposed the proposal to ban Section 21.
The public also wants tenants to have greater security with longer notices – most respondents said two months’ notice wasn’t long enough.
The poll also reveals that half of the public (49%) believe the existing rules for how landlords must treat their tenants are not strict enough.
One in five (20%) believe they are about right and just 7% think current laws are too strict.
Similarly, just 22% have a favourable view of landlords, while 54% have an unfavourable view.
This net negative view is true across the board, with the most positive opinion of landlords coming among private renters.
YouGov found that 33% of renters have a favourable view of landlords, even if 56% look upon them in a less than favourable light.
Landlords might be surprised to learn that while most people thought the current notice period was adequate, 37% said it should be shorter – but those who have rented for longer should enjoy more protection.
One in five respondents said that for a tenant renting a property for five years, notice of two months or less would be appropriate (21%).
Also, 23% feel the right notice would be three months, a third (32%) thought it was right, with one in seven (14%) believing a notice of a year or longer should be required.
For tenants who have lived in a property for more than 10 years, a third (33%) felt that a notice of ONE YEAR would be right.
The respondents also support banning MPs from being landlords – just 22% said it should be allowed and 55% said MPs should not be landlords.
This comes after Labour MP Jas Athwal came under criticism after the BBC revealed the poor conditions of some of his rental flats.
If the Renters’ Rights Bill does pass into law, it will underline that Labour is on the side of renters, the polling found.
Just 8% say the government is pro-landlord – when the same question was asked under the Tories, 47% said the Conservative government was on the landlord’s side.
Cider Drinker
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Sign Up8:04 AM, 12th September 2024, About 2 months ago
Most Brits don’t understand the unintended consequences of the legislation. Higher rents, fewer rental properties, poorer horsing, damaged landlord/tenant relationships, potential violence towards tenants - it’s a long list.
Given that most Brits are not landlords, I’m surprised that it’s only 60% that support the RRB. Maybe there is hope. And, of course, most people don’t know what is in the Bill. Even I am still digesting it.
Freda Blogs
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Sign Up10:40 AM, 12th September 2024, About 2 months ago
I bet most of those polled do not know that a section 21 is a “no reason given” eviction, and that most of the time there is always a reason. I’ll also bet that any of those polled would sympathise with anyone – including Landlords– left significantly out of pocket through rent arrears and trashing of a property, which is the case in many s21 situations. I doubt they’d put up with it themselves if they were a LL.
Running a poll asking the wrong questions to the wrong people proves nothing other than media hype and fear mongering.
dismayed landlord
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Sign Up11:21 AM, 12th September 2024, About 2 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 12/09/2024 - 08:04
How many more random instances of quoting unsubstantiated stats at us can be sustained, believed and even entertained by the readers of this crap! Enough the figures will show this is all too much b…s..t.
Paul Essex
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Sign Up12:48 PM, 12th September 2024, About 2 months ago
I am not surprised, the public seems to just lap up whatever the press tells them, gone are the days of realistic reporting. YouTube and Facebook algorithms just feed them stories supporting their views.
Even Trump seems to have believed something that he saw in the media! Although there are too many dogs around here, perhaps we could have some of those ' pet eating immigrants ' over here if they don't want them 😂
Mick Roberts
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Sign Up8:36 AM, 14th September 2024, About 2 months ago
80% of Brits would vote to pay no tax, they'd love the end result for 3 months. And then they'd regret it. Bit like Brexit.
Voting for the punitive regulations against us.
Voting to take away our only thing to why we give these people a home in the first place. If we are made to fight an extremely hard 2 year battle to get our property back which we ONLY LET THEM RENT, then we won't give them a house in the first place.