0:03 AM, 3rd November 2023, About A year ago 73
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Angela Rayner has promised to abolish Section 21 straight away if Labour wins the next general election.
In an interview with LBC, the Shadow Housing Secretary answered questions from worried landlords about the removal of Section 21.
Ms Rayner argued that “no-fault evictions are causing misery for people”.
One landlord told the Shadow Housing Secretary that he houses vulnerable people in his properties and the removal of Section 21 will frighten many landlords.
He said: “I specialize in taking homeless people and people from charities who are ex-drug addicts. I take these people on the condition that they get one chance, they can’t mess it up.
“If Section 21 was abolished I would not be able to take these vulnerable people because I could not get rid of them.”
The landlord emphasised the critical role Section 21 played in his ability to help house vulnerable people.
“I have had instances where I have had to use Section 21 because I’ve had an ex drunk who’s been homeless and after five or six months he’s gone back on booze and I’ve had to go through that process. What happens if I can’t do that anymore?
“I wouldn’t be able to take the risk and take people who are homeless or ex drug addicts from charities and that’s all I specialize in. I ask you will you abolish Section 21?”
Ms Rayner told the landlord that no-fault evictions would be abolished immediately under a Labour government.
“Yes, we would abolish Section 21. I’m being honest with you and I gave you a straight answer. I know that the court system is in a mess at the moment and that needs sorting out.
“There’s so many good landlords out there and they’re frustrated by the current situation and the work you are doing is really important.
“However, on balance, Section 21 is causing misery for a lot of people because it is used to turf people out without any explanation or excuse.”
She added: “We need to make sure there’s a fair balance between renters and landlords and being honest with you I think at the moment it’s much too much towards landlords as opposed to tenants.”
Elsewhere in the interview, one landlord told Ms Rayner scrapping Section 21 would cause chaos in landlords trying to gain back possession of their property.
He said: “Most landlords don’t have an issue renting to any tenant that looks after the property and pays the rent.
“However, if it all goes wrong and the landlord wants their property back, they don’t want to wait nine months and they don’t want to have to spend several thousand pounds.
Ms Rayner interrupted and asked: “Is that why you think so many of these Section 21 notices are implemented and imposed on people at the moment because they are significantly used?”
The landlord argued back saying most landlords don’t issue a Section 21 without a valid reason.
He said: “The main reason a landlord will use Section 21 is because they want a tenant out for a reason.
“The tenant might be in breach of the lease or they are causing a disturbance. Section 8 is going to stop all that and therefore landlords will flee the market or the ones that are in the market won’t let to tenants on lower incomes.
“At the end of the day, a landlord has to know that they can get their property back quickly and efficiently.”
The full video can be seen here
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Monty Bodkin
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Sign Up12:08 PM, 3rd November 2023, About A year ago
See the other clip where she is interviewed by Andrew Castle;
https://www.lbc.co.uk/politics/parties/labour/angela-rayner/angela-rayner-emphasises-no-fault-eviction-plan/
A.R -"Well, landlords, you know, we've got a countless amount of landlords at the moment"
A.C -"They're leaving."
A.R -"Well there's plenty of them around."
A.C -"They're still leaving and it's why rents are going up Angela."
Is the penny starting to drop?
reader
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Sign Up12:25 PM, 3rd November 2023, About A year ago
Forgetting the politicians and party politics the question to ask is how does the abolition of S21 help society and those most in need.
The rental market is not one market but divided into many social spectrums. Those tenants with the greatest need often have greatest social problems. But landlords try and help by providing homes. It is the vulnerable who are going to be subject to the greatest loss of help when landlords cannot risk all the associated issues that comes with those most in need.
No safety net for landlords means no accommodation and help for those who most need it. Are councils going to help or housing associations, never.
Dawn Fellingham
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Sign Up12:53 PM, 3rd November 2023, About A year ago
Reply to the comment left by Jon Landlord at 03/11/2023 - 11:35
So that would take some time if it involves going into an Act. I thought that might be the case. That's a little bit reassuring I suppose.
Reluctant Landlord
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Sign Up12:55 PM, 3rd November 2023, About A year ago
Reply to the comment left by Paul McCarthy at 03/11/2023 - 10:58
You have done your bit. You have explained what will happen. She needs to learn a valuable lesson.
Start issuing S21 as soon as Labour get in. Whats the worst that can happen?
You let your HMO's to working/ professionals only. Pitch your rent right and you will be inundated with applications. Renting is getting toxic so the doors are only going to be open to those that can prove financial stability, personal financing, AND for those who have personal skin in the game (not reliant on council/government as some form of default backup).
A working person will understand the consequences of a bad LL refrence/CCJ/court money claims and will want to avoid this. At some point they might want credit or even a mortgage of their own. Bad credit is a killer these days!
Renting is always a risk, but the way its going the only way to reduce it is by finding a self funding tenant. Long term they have far more to loose and will be fully aware of this.
Reluctant Landlord
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Sign Up13:05 PM, 3rd November 2023, About A year ago
Reply to the comment left by Jon Landlord at 03/11/2023 - 11:35
well I am sure all landlords will be watching with great interest any proposals with accompanying timescales!
Push us too far and we will rebel.
While I think Labour may well go hell bent on saying now they will be pushing through as much of this pro T/anti LL stuff, it is just for show and the votes?
The reality is that laws etc take time to impliment and there are lots of stages first. The conservatives will push back hard just because they will be in direct opposition - they cannot be seen to be agreeing to anything Labour do lets face it. It will be kicked and delayed at every stage possible just becuase it can be. If labour are wanting to focus on the PRS as their big ticket win item, then the opposition are going to make it as hard as possible for them to achieve this.
Dawn Fellingham
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Sign Up13:13 PM, 3rd November 2023, About A year ago
Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 03/11/2023 - 13:05
I'm also concerned Labour will threaten an eviction ban when they finally realise the number of properties have dwindled so much and the crisis so severe. It's happened in Scotland so why not England?!
Michael Booth
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Sign Up13:43 PM, 3rd November 2023, About A year ago
She won't listen, this is a women on a left wing mission, a single YOUNG GIRL living in a council property who conveniently told the media that she couldn't get a council house when she was given a council house by a Conservative council ie she tried to mislead people, the very same person .
Reluctant Landlord
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Sign Up13:53 PM, 3rd November 2023, About A year ago
Reply to the comment left by Dawn Fellingham at 03/11/2023 - 13:13
threatening is one thing...but it takes time to do so there is no immediate rush, but a get out clause is worth considering.....
Tony Johnson
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Sign Up15:42 PM, 3rd November 2023, About A year ago
Reply to the comment left by Dawn Fellingham at 03/11/2023 - 10:47
Yes
They will enforce it under "emergency powers" of the Executive, just like the government did with banning evictions immediately during lockdown.
No legislation or parliamentary approval needed.
John Grefe
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Sign Up16:05 PM, 3rd November 2023, About A year ago
Typically Labour not understanding the mechanism of renting! Thinking that landlords have an easy life making money. I have just found out that a group of four tenants have been overcrowding our four bed house with up to 12 people!! Also, reported by a tradesman with photos to back him up said the house was very dirty etc. It was. If it wasn't for section 21 I think it could have been very difficult for us.? We issued a section 21 & hope they pay the rent.
The "5 week" deposit won't cover the repairs, deep cleaning, redecorating & possible replacing carpets.
Was has this goddess of the tenants have to say about this?