Renters (Reform) Bill is on the brink of ‘collapse’ – claim

The controversial Renters (Reform) Bill which is set to abolish Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions is on the brink of collapse, The Sun newspaper claims.

Quoting Whitehall insiders, the newspaper says ‘angry Tory MPs’ are holding the Housing Secretary Michael Gove ‘to ransom’ in a bid to force changes.

The Bill was promised in the Conservative’s manifesto in 2019 and is still making its way through Parliament.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had promised to end ‘no-fault’ evictions by the next election.

Tory MPs are refusing to budge

The newspaper says officials are ‘distraught’ because the Tory MPs are refusing to budge on their legislation stance.

The resistance is being led by Totnes MP Anthony Mangnall.

The Sun quotes an insider who told them: “The Renters Reform Bill looks like it may now collapse and the Tories risk breaking their manifesto commitment to end no fault evictions.

“Officials are at a total loss given both pro-landlord groups like the National Residential Landlords Association and pro-renters groups like the Renters Reform Coalition want this bill passed ASAP.

“It seems a small group of landlord MPs, led by Anthony Mangnall, are holding the bill to ransom.”

Supports abolishing ‘no-fault’ evictions

While not being a landlord, Mr Mangnall says he supports abolishing ‘no-fault’ evictions.

And he warns that there are many disappointed Tory MPs who are unhappy at the prospect of Section 21 being abolished and periodic tenancies being brought in.

It now appears that the two sides are at a stalemate and time will likely run out before the Bill will finish its journey through Parliament.

Mr Mangnall told The Sun: “I want to amend the Bill not to kill it.

“It’s my role as a legislator to ensure we pass sensible legislation. We’ve had constructive meetings with Michael Gove.

“This is about trying to find the right balance.”

On X, formerly Twitter, Ben Beadle, the chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “If amendments are as reported, the Govt should get on and publish them. The changes would give responsible #landlords the confidence they need & keep manifesto promises to #renters.

“I hope @michaelgove stands firm & gets the RRB over the line. It would be a travesty if not.”

‘Biggest betrayal of renters in a generation ‘

The chief executive of Generation Rent, Ben Twomey, said: “If the Renters (Reform) Bill were to collapse as this report suggests, it would be the biggest betrayal of renters in a generation and nothing short of a disgrace.

“Ending Section 21 no fault evictions has been promised for almost five years and the prospect that government might abandon its word to 12 million renters because of party infighting is shameful.

“The Bill intends to, in its own words, ‘rebalance the power between tenants and landlords’, but no compromise appears to be enough. Concessions to weaken and delay the Bill’s impact have already been made.”

He adds: “This Bill is more than fair to landlords and the major landlord organisations all support reform. With soaring homelessness and record evictions, opponents of this Bill are far removed from the realities of renting.”

His organisation wouldn’t support ‘a grubby deal’

Tom Darling, the campaign manager at the Renters Reform Coalition, said his organisation wouldn’t support ‘a grubby deal’ between landlord backbenchers and the government.

Labour’s Shadow Communities Minister, Liz Twist, said that the government has had 14 years to protect tenants but has only broken promises.

A Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokesperson said: “Our landmark Renters (Reform) Bill will deliver a fairer private rented sector for both tenants and landlords.

“It will abolish section 21 evictions – giving people more security in their homes and empowering them to challenge poor practices.

“We continue to meet regularly with a range of groups, representing all those in the private rented sector.”

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