Letting Agents Call For Dedicated Housing Court

Letting agents have called on the government to create a dedicated Housing Court system within England and Wales to prevent a ‘catastrophic’ situation when ‘no fault’ Section 21 notice evictions are abolished. Agent trade body Propertymark has used the Law Commission’s latest reform proposal programme to call for a new system of dedicated courts, which would replace the current County Court system. It says the current system is in need of urgent reform because, even before Covid struck, the time taken from claim to repossession was getting longer and longer – reaching on average 21 weeks. Read more on the Negotiator website.

https://thenegotiator.co.uk/letting-agents-call-for-dedicated-housing-court-to-avoid-evictions-catastrophe/ 

Private Rented Housing – Parliamentary Written Answer

Dr Kieran Mullan: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to create a fairer private rented sector.

Eddie Hughes: We will bring forward proposals to reform tenancy law to abolish Section 21 evictions and improve security for tenants in the private rented sector, as well as strengthening repossession grounds for landlords when they have valid grounds. Proposals for a new ‘lifetime’ deposit model will also be outlined, to ease the burden on tenants when moving from one tenancy to the next. We are also committed to raising standards in privately rented accommodation, and driving out rogue landlords, including by ensuring all tenants have a right to redress, and ensuring well targeted, effective enforcement that drives out criminal landlords.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2021-05-26/8001

One In 12 Private Renters ‘Has Received A No-Fault Eviction Notice In Past Year’

One in 12 private renters in England has been given formal notice to move out without a reason since March 2020, a survey has found. Some 8% of private renters in England said they had received a Section 21 notice to quit during the coronavirus pandemic, which allows landlords to evict tenants without needing a reason. While the initial Section 21 notice is only the first stage of the legal process, many tenants move out before the case reaches court, according to Generation Rent, which campaigns on behalf of tenants and released the findings. Read more on the Belfast Telegraph website.

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/uk-world/one-in-12-private-renters-has-received-a-no-fault-eviction-notice-in-past-year-40314876.html 

Evictions – Parliamentary Written Answer

Olivia Blake: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will extend the section 21 notice period extension beyond 31 March 2021. 

Christopher Pincher: We are continuing to require landlords to provide tenants with six months’ notice before eviction in all but the most serious cases until the end of May 2021. This includes Section 21 notices. This means that most renters served notice during April and May will be able to stay in their homes until October and November, except in the most serious cases such as anti-social behaviour and serious rent arrears The Government will consider the best approach to tapering down notice periods after 1 June, taking into account public health requirements and progress with the roadmap out of lockdown.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2021-03-08/164376

Housing Act 1988 – Parliamentary Written Answer

Ms Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when his Department plans to bring forward legislation to repeal Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988. 

Christopher Pincher: The Government remains committed to abolishing Section 21 through a Renters’ Reform Bill which will enhance renters’ security. However, our collective efforts are currently focused on responding to the coronavirus outbreak. We will bring forward the Renters’ Reform Bill at the appropriate time.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2021-01-27/144649 

Landlords Publish New Deal For Rented Housing

Private landlords are calling on the government to establish a new landlord and tenant conciliation service as part of its planned changes to the private rented sector. The call, being made by the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), comes as it publishes its proposals for the Renters’ Reform Bill. With the government committed to abolishing section 21, or ‘no fault’ evictions, the NRLA is calling for reforms to the rights of repossession that are fair to both tenants and landlords. The plans outline clear and comprehensive grounds upon which landlords should be able to regain possession of their properties. Read more on the Mortgage Introducer website.

https://www.mortgageintroducer.com/landlords-publish-new-deal-rented-housing/

Private Rented Housing – Parliamentary Written Answer

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will introduce longer minimum rental contracts to provide renters with more financial stability. 

Christopher Pincher: A Renters’ Reform Bill will enhance renters’ security and improve protections for tenants by abolishing ‘no-fault’ evictions. The Government is committed to bringing forward legislation to abolish section 21 but such legislation must be balanced and considered to achieve the right outcomes for the sector. It is only right that providing tenants with greater security of tenure is balanced with an assurance that landlords are able to recover their properties where they have valid reasons to do so. We will bring forward the Renters Reform Bill as a priority once the urgencies of responding to the pandemic have passed.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2020-07-16/75319 

Landlords That Fail To Issue Gas Safety Certificates Can Evict

Tenants can be removed from properties via Section 21 no-fault evictions even if landlords fail to provide them with valid gas safety records (GSRs) at the start of their tenancies, according to a landmark ruling. The Court of Appeal overturned a previous ruling that a landlord’s Section 21 order was invalid if it had failed to provide a GSR prior to the tenant moving into their property. In the case of Trecarrell House Limited v Rouncefield, the court ruled there is no time limit for serving existing tenants with a GSR and that as long as one is provided to the tenant prior to a Section 21 notice, the notice will be valid. Read more on Inside Housing.

https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/landlords-that-fail-to-issue-gas-safety-certificates-can-evict-via-section-21-court-rules-66916?utm_source=Housing60&utm_medium=email&utm_content=article_link&utm_campaign=H60

Private Rented Housing: Coronavirus – Parliamentary Written Answer

Florence Eshalomi: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to place temporary restrictions on the use of Section 21 and Section 8 evictions for tenants affected by covid-19.

Christopher Pincher: On 18 March, we announced a radical package of measures to protect renters and landlords affected by coronavirus. Emergency legislation will be taken forward as an urgent priority so that landlords will not be able to start proceedings to evict tenants for at least a three-month period. As a result of these measures, no renters in private or social accommodation needs to be concerned about the threat of eviction. More information on these plans can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/complete-ban-on-evictions-and-additionalprotection-for-renters.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2020-03-17/30911

Housing Secretary Announces Proposals To Change Planning

The Secretary of State for Housing, Robert Jenrick MP, yesterday announced a package of measures to reform the planning system and encourage house building. He also confirmed the Government intends to bring forward the Renters Reform Bill (encompassing the abolition of section 21, ‘lifetime deposits’, and the extension of the rogue landlords database) this year, as well as a social housing white paper. The Government plans to publish a ‘white paper’ in the spring, setting out their ambitions for reform of the planning system. Read more on the NLA website.

https://landlords.org.uk/news-campaigns/news/housing-secretary-announces-proposals-change-planning

MP Presses Government On Timetable For Renters’ Reform Bill

Rosie Cooper, Labour MP for West Lancashire has received her response to a written question on the timetable for the introduction of the Renters Reform Bill. It has been two months since Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick MP announced the Renters Reform Bill as part of the Queens Speech. Responding to Ms Cooper’s question, Junior Minister at MHCLG, Luke Hall MP, said that it would be brought forward “as soon as Parliamentary time allows.” The new bill will introduce a package of reforms, including the abolition of Section 21. Read more on the RLA website.

https://news.rla.org.uk/labour-mp-presses-government-on-timetable-for-renters-reform-bill-introduction/

Reshuffle ‘Evicts’ McVey From MHCLG

Esther McVey has been served a ‘Section 21’ by Downing Street – her short term tenure as housing minister is over. But Robert Jenrick is staying on as Housing Secretary offering the sector some much-needed continuity. McVey confirmed her sacking on her twitter account having been one of the first ministers ‘reshuffled’ by the PM. Read more on 24housing.

https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/reshuffle-evicts-mcvey-from-mhclg/

Law Society Calls For An End To Section 21

Section 21 has been dealt a further blow with the Law Society backing the government’s intention to abolish so-called ‘no fault’ evictions. But highlighting the need for balance between the rights of tenants and landlords, the Society has also recommended the widening of Section 8 – the powers of a landlord to regain their property in specific circumstances. The Law Society was responding to the MHCLG consultation A New Deal for Renting through its housing law committee. Read more on 24housing.

https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/law-society-says-end-section-21/

Councils To Set To Benefit From Grant Funding To Tackle Rogue Landlords

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has confirmed that over £4 million will be shared by more than 100 councils following a bidding process to help tackle rogue landlords. Councils were invited to submit their bids for the Innovation and Enforcement Grant Fund by 1 December 2019 with an expectation that any funding has to be spent by 31 March 2020. This announcement follows on from the confirmation that the Government will proceed with abolishing Section 21 as announced in the Queen’s Speech as they seek to implement reforms with in the private rented sector. Read more on the NLA website.

https://landlords.org.uk/news-campaigns/news/councils-set-benefit-grant-funding-tackle-rogue-landlords

Government Commits To Abolition Of Section 21

The Queen’s Speech confirms the government is going for the full abolition of Section 21 abolishing the use of ‘no fault’ evictions, but will offer a “strengthening of rights” to landlords needing to gain possession of their property when they have a valid reason to do so. On this, the Renters Reform Bill envisages an improved court process. Clear on the intention to abolish section 21, the Bill introduces a package of reforms intended to deliver a “fairer and more effective” rental market. Read more on 24housing.

https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/government-goes-for-abolition-of-section-21/

What Will A Conservative Government Mean For Landlords?

The Conservatives have triumphed at the polls with a large majority – but what does this mean for landlords and the private rented sector? A commitment to abolishing Section 21, a stamp duty surcharge on non-UK residents and lifetime rental deposits were all key elements of the Conservative manifesto. On the PRS the Tories also said they will press forward with the roll-out of Universal Credit, bring an end to the benefit freeze and invest £9.2 billion in the energy efficiency of homes, schools and hospitals. A lifetime rental deposit scheme would see deposits transferred from one tenancy to another, rather than tenants having to save up for a ‘second deposit’ when moving house. Read more on the RLA website.

https://news.rla.org.uk/what-will-a-conservative-government-mean-for-landlords/

Think Tank Wants Rent Controls And Lifelong Tenancies

Rent controls, lifelong tenancies, a public landlord database and an end to Section 21 are among the calls in a report by the New Economics Foundation. The think tank has outlined a number of proposals it wants political parties to adopt in order to reform what it describes as the “broken economy”. It proposes:

·         An end to Section 21 repossessions and the introduction of lifetime and open-ended tenancies.

·         The creation of a publicly accessible database of landlords and rents.

·         A model of rent controls that would limit rents within and between tenancies and bring rents down to levels affordable on local incomes.

Read more on the RLA website.

https://news.rla.org.uk/think-tank-wants-rent-controls-and-lifelong-tenancies/

Government Urged To Commit To Section 21 Abolishment

Unaffordable rents, shoddy living conditions, and the threat of no fault eviction are putting thousands of older people who rent their homes from private landlords at risk, according to Age UK. As part of a campaign launch, the charity is calling on the government to give all older renters the security of tenure necessary to have peace of mind and feel safe in their own homes. According to reports, for older people who do not own their own homes, renting privately is often the only option left. Read more on 24housing.

https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/government-urged-commit-to-section-21-abolishment/

Abolishing Section 21 Could Have Serious Impact On Private Rented Sector

The private rented sector could shrink by 20% if Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions are abolished, according to a new economic analysis report. The report by Capital Economics also forecasts a reduction in housing available to tenants on housing benefit or Universal Credit. But it suggests a possible solution, namely a reformed court process that made dealing with Section 8 cases faster and cheaper could nullify the removal of Section 21 for many landlords. However, the PRS would still see a likely reduction of between 180,000 to 390,000 homes, between 130,000 and 300,000 fewer homes available to benefit claimants, and rent increases for between 110,000 to 240,000 properties. Read more on the Property Wire website.

https://www.propertywire.com/news/uk/abolishing-section-21-could-have-serious-impact-on-private-rented-sector/

Homelessness Set To Rise In Wake Of Section 21 Abolition

Tenant eviction specialists, Landlord Action, says that as many as 50% of Section 21 cases they handle are as a result of tenants wanting to be re-housed by the council. They believe the abolition of Section 21, and subsequent expansion of Section 8, could put thousands of tenants at greater risk of receiving a County Court Judgement (CCJ) and ending up homeless as local councils will not be obliged to re-house those with rent arrears judgements. Read more on the Property Reporter website.

https://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/landlords/homelessness-set-to-rise-in-wake-of-section-21-abolition.html