The Renters Reform Bill, aimed at eliminating Section 21 evictions, appears to be in jeopardy, as reported by The Sun. Whitehall sources have suggested that the Conservative campaign promise to abolish “no fault evictions” might not be fulfilled due to resistance from discontent Tory MPs holding back Michael Gove.
The Tories committed in their 2019 manifesto to remove the ability for landlords to evict tenants arbitrarily. Despite this, there have been ongoing delays in the legislation, prompting doubts about the government’s dedication to this issue.
The government had expressed that a prohibition on such evictions could not be implemented until improvements to the court system are made. Parliamentary debates concerning the Renters (Reform) Bill, which proposes an end to Section 21 evictions in England, began in October of the previous year. However, the Bill has still not made its complete progress through Parliament.
Last month, the housing secretary promised to enact the Reform Bill before the year’s general election. When Michael Gove was questioned on the BBC’s program with Laura Kuenssberg if the end of the practice could be guaranteed before the next general election, due by January 2025 at the latest, he affirmed that not only will it be outlawed, but courts will also be supported to enforce the new law.
Inside Gove’s party, significant opposition exists, with landlords comprising nearly one-fifth of Conservative MPs. This trend of landlords isn’t unique to the Tories, as they are present across various political parties, including Labour.
Last year, a group of Conservative MPs expressed their discontent with the Renters Reform Bill, arguing that it would heighten landlords’ challenges. Sir Edward Leigh, a Conservative former minister, cautioned that banning no-fault evictions would aggravate rental market stagnation and scarcity. He cited the situation in Ireland, where heightened landlord regulations have significantly contracted the rental market, much to the detriment of the government’s popularity.
Conservative MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown echoed these concerns, suggesting the bill would drastically reduce the availability of rental properties, consequently raising rents, which would be particularly detrimental for young people.
Now, The Sun has revealed that Tory backbenchers, including landlords, are accused of being uncompromising on the legislation. The driving force behind this resistance seems to be Totnes MP Anthony Mangnall.
An insider from Whitehall indicated that the Renters Reform Bill might collapse, which would mean the Conservatives breaking their election promise to terminate no-fault evictions. While both pro-landlord and pro-renter groups desire swift passage of the bill, a small faction of landlord MPs, spearheaded by Mangnall, seems to be impeding progress.
Mangnall, who does not own rental property himself, professes to support the eradication of Section 21 evictions. Nonetheless, he, along with other Tories, has taken issue with the bill’s approach to banning fixed-term rental agreements and instituting open-ended periodic tenancies instead.
Mangnall stated his intent to revise rather than destroy the bill, aiming for a compromise through constructive discussions with Michael Gove.
Tom Darling from the Renters Reform Coalition openly criticized the government for the latest hold-up of the bill. He blamed an unmanageable segment of Conservative MPs, many of whom are landlords, for potentially sabotaging their own manifesto pledge at the last minute, asserting that the current bill is the minimum needed for renters and rejecting any insufficient compromises.
A spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities asserted that the landmark Renters (Reform) Bill will balance the rental sector for both tenants and landlords by removing Section 21 evictions, offering tenants greater security and a way to confront substandard practices.
Meetings continue to be held regularly with various private rental sector representatives, as per the department.
The article also references the suggestion that nearly one-third of Tory MPs attempting to dilute the Renters Reform Bill have conflicts of interest as landlords.
