After the Easter break, the Renters Reform Bill will be introduced in the House of Commons, and will include a postponement of the ‘no fault’ Section 21 eviction ban.
The eviction ban is set to be delayed until the justice secretary can evaluate the court system’s ability to handle eviction cases and share the findings.
Currently, the process for eviction under Section 8, which requires landlords to provide a reason for eviction, faces issues such as court delays and a lack of bailiffs. Consequently, evicting problematic tenants may take nearly a year.
Levelling up minister, Jacob Young, informed Conservative MPs through a letter that the bill needs to balance tenant security with fairness for landlords.
The bill has had a sluggish journey since its introduction in May of the previous year. Moreover, approximately 50 Tory MPs have suggested modifications, expressing concerns that the bill could cause landlords to exit the market, further shrinking the UK’s limited rental supply.
Another proposed amendment is meant to stop tenants from terminating a rental agreement during the initial six-month period, countering the current provision for renters to leave with two months’ notice at any point.
Additional amendments are set to ensure all forms of student accommodations are included under the existing grounds for possession, preserving the yearly rhythm of the student rental market.
Ben Beadle, the CEO of the National Residential Landlords Association, expressed concern over the rumors and speculation surrounding the bill, which has created uncertainty for both tenants and landlords. He stated that the government has a duty to end Section 21 evictions, and their focus has been on developing a fair and functional replacement system. Beadle believes the proposed amendments could accomplish this fairness.
He urges the government to move forward and allow the bill to undergo thorough review, as the current delay and vagueness are unsettling and harmful for those involved in the private rental sector. Beadle concludes that it is time to resolve the instability.
