Express & Star

MP: No-fault evictions ban a 'positive step'

Plans to ban private landlords from evicting tenants at short notice have been hailed as a "positive step" by a Black Country MP.

Published
Wolverhampton North East MP Emma Reynolds

Emma Reynolds said Government moves to scrap Section 21 notices, which allow landlords to evict renters without a reason after their fixed-term tenancy period ends, would give "additional security" to tenants.

Ministers say they want to protect renters from "unethical" landlords who exploit Section 21 notices, which are considered one of the biggest causes of family homelessness.

Wolverhampton North East Labour MP Ms Reynolds said: “This is a positive step forward for tenants’ rights and means landlords cannot force renters out of their homes without good reason.

"There are thousands of private renters in Wolverhampton, and this move will give additional security to people who rent a home.

“Tenants in private rented homes can be concerned about ‘revenge evictions’ for making complaints about their property, and there are concerning cases of tenants not reporting maintenance issues for fear of being evicted.

"Removing Section 21 notices gives tenants more security against neglectful landlords and letting agencies."

The National Landlords Association said members were forced to use Section 21 because they had "no confidence" in the courts to settle possession claims.

But an organisation representing tenants said the plans were "a vital first step to ending profiteering from housing".

Housing Secretary James Brokenshire said the changes would offer more "stability" to the growing number of families renting.

He added that people would no longer be afraid to make a complaint "because they may be concerned through a no-fault eviction that they may be thrown out".

A Citizens Advice survey of 2,001 private renters suggested that tenants who made a formal complaint had a 46 per cent chance of being evicted within the next six months.