Join the View from Westminster email list to receive expert analysis directly to your inbox.
Receive our complimentary email newsletter, View from Westminster.
Despite repeated delays, housing secretary Michael Gove reaffirmed the government’s commitment to banning no-fault evictions before the next election.
The 2019 manifesto of the Conservative party promised to criminalize Section 21, which enables landlords to remove tenants from their property without providing a justification not stated in the tenancy agreement.
However, the bill has faced repeated delays, causing housing advocates to question the government’s dedication.
The bill for reforming renters, which includes measures to prohibit the practice, is currently making its way through parliament. However, it will not be discussed again until the following month.
The implementation of the Renters Reform Bill has been consistently postponed.
In 2023, there was a 28% increase in the number of landlords who initiated court proceedings for no-fault evictions, with a total of 30,230 cases.
During an appearance on BBC’s Sunday show hosted by Laura Kuenssberg, Michael Gove promised that no-fault evictions will be prohibited before the upcoming general election this year.
When questioned about whether the practice will cease before the next election, even though he was previously worried about the courts’ ability to handle it, Mr. Gove stated, “We will have made it illegal and we will allocate funds to the courts to ensure they can enforce it.”
The legislation proposed by Mr. Gove has encountered strong resistance from members of his own party, as nearly 20% of Conservative MPs are landlords.
Last year, a group of Conservative Members of Parliament expressed their disagreement with the renters reform legislation, claiming it would increase the responsibilities of landlords.
In the House of Commons, Sir Edward Leigh, a former Conservative minister, expressed to fellow MPs that prohibiting no-fault evictions will worsen the already stagnant rental market and result in further scarcity.
He stated, “In addition to burdening landlords, we do not want to replicate the situation in Ireland where the strict regulations on landlords have significantly reduced the rental market and negatively impacted government popularity.”
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, a member of the Conservative Party, expressed concern that the bill would have a negative impact on his constituency by reducing the availability of rental properties and causing an increase in rent prices. He emphasized the seriousness of this issue for young people.
The housing secretary stated that he is making every effort to convince the Chancellor to allocate more funds for housing in the upcoming spring Budget, without resorting to extreme measures like laying siege to his home.
Sir Geoffrey stated that the bill would result in a decrease in the availability of rental properties in his district.
I am putting forth my maximum effort, short of resorting to laying siege to his household.
Each day, I make sure to send him a note or message stressing the significance of increasing efforts to unlock the housing supply.
“He also mentioned, ‘And he understands it.’ Jeremy Hunt is someone who truly values the significance of aiding the future generation.”
In response to Michael Gove’s statements this morning, Daisy Cooper, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, expressed her opinion.
“It is shocking that this Conservative government has repeatedly chosen to delay their promised ban on no fault evictions.
The words of Michael Gove will hold no weight for those who have been waiting for a long time for this much-needed change.
She stated: “This administration has ignored the housing crisis in our country. Despite having 16 housing ministers, people are still experiencing the same issues.”
It is unfair for tenants to be at risk of losing their homes due to circumstances beyond their control. Rishi Sunak and Michael Gove must fulfill their pledge before more families experience these harmful repercussions.
Source: independent.co.uk
