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Government to end ‘no-fault’ evictions in private rental shake-up
Prime minister Theresa May has announced plans to clamp down on landlords who evict tenants unfairly at short notice by abolishing so-called “no-fault evictions”.
In a significant move by the government, Ms May revealed plans to put in place legislation that would end Section 21 evictions, also known as no-fault evictions.
The government has hailed the move as “the biggest change to the private rental sector for a generation”, and said landlords would no longer be able to evict tenants at short notice without good reason.
Under current Section 21 eviction laws, landlords are able to give tenants as little as eight weeks notice to leave a property after a fixed-term contract has come to an end.
The new legislation would effectively create open-ended tenancies, with landlords being required to provide a “concrete-evidenced reason for bringing the tenancy to an end”.
Ms May said that “everyone had the right to feel secure in their home”, and the new steps would “protect tenants from unethical behaviour”.
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The government will shortly launch a public consultation to abolish Section 21 which is included in the Housing Act 1988.
Ministers also plan to amend the Section 8 eviction process, so property owners are able to regain their home should they wish to sell it or move into it.
Court processes will also be expedited so landlords are able to swiftly and smoothly regain their property in the rare event of tenants falling into rent arrears or damaging the property.
Ms May said millions of responsible tenants can currently be uprooted by their landlord with little notice, and often little justification.
She said: “This is wrong, and today we’re acting by preventing these unfair evictions. Landlords will still be able to end tenancies where they have legitimate reasons to do so, but they will no longer be able to unexpectedly evict families with only eight weeks’ notice.
“This important step will not only protect tenants from unethical behaviour, but also give them the long-term certainty and the peace of mind they deserve.”
Housing secretary James Brokenshire said: “By abolishing these kinds of evictions, every single person living in the private rented sector will be empowered to make the right housing choice for themselves – not have it made for them. And this will be balanced by ensuring responsible landlords can get their property back where they have proper reason to do so.
“We are making the biggest change to the private rental sector in a generation. We are creating homes, opportunities and thriving communities where people can come together and put down roots, bound by a strong sense of belonging.”
