When politicians use weasel words, tenants lose their homes

Who knew that weasel words could leave tenants homeless? Who knew that weasel words can mean the opposite of what they do mean?

I’m talking about Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions that are in the news, thanks to Michael Gove announcing they will be banned before the next election.

But WHAT will be banned?

Everyone, Gove, the BBC and tenant activist groups, keep saying that tenants are being evicted from their homes without a reason.

Until recently, this phrase of evicting someone without a reason – it’s rarely ‘no-fault’ – makes landlords look callous wasn’t something that was discussed. This has become a buzzword.

It’s everywhere now and Gove used it last week – siding firmly with tenants against those horrible landlords.

And then the Ashton-under-Lyne foghorn Angela Rayner had the temerity to say Gove used ‘weasel words’.

She said the Tories have ruined the justice system and are using their failure to ‘endlessly postpone fulfilling their promises to renters in the most dishonest way’.

Tenants ‘are being marched from their homes’

Then the incorrigible Polly Neate, the chief executive of Shelter (You know the homelessness charity that doesn’t actually house anyone), said tenants ‘are being marched from their homes’.

Did you picture a mean-looking landlord dressed as an SS soldier? Emotive language always hits the target.

Well listen up love, I have news for you.

I say news but I’m pretty sure you are intelligent enough to understand what Section 21 means but you like playing with words. As does Michael Gove.

He used to be a journalist on The Times so really should know better than to repeat the mantra that tenants are being evicted ‘for no reason’. Even the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg got in on the act, talking about evicting tenants for no reason.

Here’s Gove and Kuenssberg discussing Section 21 ‘where landlords can evict tenants for no reason’.

There is always a reason – section 21 is simply a procedure to regain possession of a property without giving a reason for doing so.

That reason could be for arrears, anti-social behaviour or wanting to move a family member in. Not having to give a reason doesn’t mean that there isn’t a reason at all.

That’s a misconception that is going to cost landlords in the private rented sector money, goodwill and patience.

Landlords could opt for a section 8 eviction

Obviously, landlords could opt for a section 8 eviction and give a mandatory reason for doing so.

But no one is interested in what landlords must deal with.

And I appreciate that there are more tenants with a vote than there are landlords but there’s a sting in the tail with the promise to ban section 21 possessions before the next election.

Can you guess what it might be Mr Gove, Polly and the other deluded loons who are calling for this?

It’s a potential mass sell-off of private rented property.

Can you imagine the furore if landlords did manage to organise and send a section 21 eviction notice on the same day to every tenant before the election?

And then put those homes on the market?

And went on media shows to explain why?

You would be deafened by the sound of Gove frantically trying to find reverse gear as the penny drops with his political chums and tenants being asked to leave.

Landlords don’t evict for no reason

But the best sound of all would be the sound of regret as Polly et al admit that landlords don’t evict for no reason.

There’s always a reason.

I’m reminded of Ben Beadle explaining to a Parliamentary committee of MPs about what would happen if a reason was given.

That’s when the representative from Shelter suddenly realises that its stance has been to protect tenants racking up arrears and making their neighbours’ lives hell.

While smearing hard-working and decent landlords.

He didn’t want the subject discussed by MPs but let’s fast-forward to when Section 21 is scrapped.

After this point, landlords will be giving a reason for eviction, and I’ll wager that the likes of Shelter will try to ignore the rocketing number of arrears evictions.

Instead, they will focus on the needless denigration of tenants, ruining their reputations and making it difficult for them to rent again.

So, I’m guessing that they will push for the eviction reason to be kept confidential.

And how would they do that?

Well, I’d lay good money that Shelter, and their cronies will want the reasons to be ‘non-specific’ so that tenants aren’t tarnished and can find another home to rent.

In other words, Section 21 evictions in all but name!

Landlords sell up, rents rocket

Talk about shooting yourself in the foot when landlords sell up, rents rocket and tenants have nowhere to live.

And it’s all because of buzzwords and what they mean.

There hasn’t been an honest conversation on this subject yet. No one wants to hear it.

I get that, I really do.

But when the Housing Secretary can close his ears and brain as to what Section 21 is and the ramifications of preventing landlords from gaining possession of their property, then I can’t help but smile.

There’s a day of reckoning coming.

Landlords and the private rented sector have been a political football for far too long and we need to be heard.

But there is still no appreciation of what decent, rent-paying tenants will lose out on.

And that’s the real shame of Gove committing to a buzzword policy.

You heard it here first – higher rents, fewer homes and more homeless.

And still, the likes of Shelter and Generation Rent will be bleating about tenants being evicted without housing anyone.

Buzzword policy? Buzz off, Gove.

Until next time,

The Landlord Crusader

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