Urgent Call for Action: Labour Pressed to Fulfill Pledge on Banning ‘No Fault’ Evictions Amid Rising Homelessness Concerns

Campaigners are calling on Labour to fulfill its commitment to outlaw 'no fault' evictions as a crucial bill makes its way back to the Commons. They highlight an increase in homelessness connected to Section 21 notices and stress the need for changes to tackle the instability experienced by renters.

Political journalist @Journoamrogers

Friday, September 6, 2024, 2:

Tenants are pressuring officials to implement a swift prohibition on "no fault" evictions as a significant piece of legislation makes its way back to parliament.

The Renters Reform Bill is designed to enhance safeguards for renters amid a fluctuating market. This includes prohibiting the use of Section 21 notices, which permit landlords to evict tenants without stating a cause.

Despite repeated pledges from various Conservative leaders to ban the practice, no fault evictions continue to occur after the proposed legislation was shelved when Rishi Sunak opted to call an election.

The legislation, now called the Reenters' Rights Bill, is anticipated to be brought back to the Commons soon, potentially by next week. Advocates are pressing Labour to adhere to the commitments they made when they were in opposition.

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'I voiced my concerns and received a Section 21 notice'

James, 38, a resident of his north London home for over five years, received a Section 21 eviction notice last month, coincidentally just after he reported problems within his home.

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His bathroom had begun to develop mold, and his kitchen was starting to see an infestation of cockroaches. Additionally, one of the walls in his home was suffering from dampness.

James addressed the problem of mold with his landlord, but received no response for three weeks. He then contacted an official from the local council, which led to the necessary repairs being made.

On August 16, James along with his five housemates received a notice to vacate their residence, requiring them to leave by the end of October.

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He expressed to Sky News how stressful it is to relocate right now, noting that the rental market has significantly worsened in terms of both cost and competition since he last changed residences.

According to the council, the eviction appears to be retaliatory; however, the landlord insists that it is merely coincidental.

Leasing Emergency 'Beyond Management'

Tom Darling, the leader of the Renters' Reform Coalition, expressed to Sky News that the rental situation in England has spiraled beyond management.

"Since the recent election, the number of people becoming homeless due to evictions without cause has been on the increase. It is crucial for the government to intervene swiftly. We are encouraged to hear that the anticipated Renters' Rights Bill may soon be introduced."

Mr. Darling expressed satisfaction that the Labour Party had consented to specific changes, such as broadening the scope of Awaab's law, which holds landlords accountable for faults in their properties, to encompass the private rental market.

He contended that broader changes were "crucial to providing real stability for tenants" – encompassing extended notice periods before eviction, increased duration of eviction-free time at the beginning of leases, and caps on rent hikes during the term of a rental agreement.

The organization also wishes that the government will disregard Conservative modifications to the prior legislation that indefinitely postponed the prohibition of Section 21 notices until a review of the court system is conducted. This review was demanded due to concerns from some Conservative backbenchers that the courts might be inundated with more intricate eviction proceedings.

Calls for enhanced tenant protections are intensifying as renters face continual increases in their housing costs, which are significantly outpacing rises in average salaries. In London, residents have experienced rent increases totaling more than 31% since 2021, with comparable escalations observed throughout other regions of England and Wales.

A new study has revealed the extent of substandard living conditions in the private rental sector, with Citizens Advice highlighting that nearly half of private renters in England reside in properties plagued by issues such as cold, dampness, or mold.

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In its platform, the Labour Party committed to abolishing "bidding wars" which force renters to compete by offering higher payments for rental properties—a measure also endorsed by the RRC.

According to a study by the New Economics Foundation thinktank, renters last year generally spent an additional £100 per month beyond the listed rental price for their residences.

An official from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government stated, "The Renters' Rights Bill is set to be presented at an appropriate time, and we have pledged to maintain a dialogue with industry stakeholders throughout its development."

"We will immediately eliminate Section 21 'no fault' evictions, put an end to rental bidding wars to halt the exploitative practice of setting renters against one another, and give renters the power to address substandard living conditions."

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