Big Issue has been at the heart of the campaign to end Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, a practice which has left thousands of renters vulnerable to homelessness each year.
Founder Lord John Bird tabled an amendment to the Renters’ Rights Bill calling for no-fault evictions to be passed as soon as possible after the bill passed into law.
Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, the parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, responded to the amendment by saying: “There will be no dither or delay, and the abolition of Section 21, fixed-term contracts, and other vital measures in the bill will happen as quickly as possible.
“So the noble Lord has my personal commitment that we will move this forward as quickly as possible.”
Beyond an end to no-fault evictions, the Renters’ Rights Act means tenants will be able to appeal excessive rent increases that try to force them out. Meanwhile, landlords can no longer unreasonably refuse tenants’ requests to have a pet.
Additionally, landlords will have to have stronger legally valid reasons to get their properties back when needed. That includes in cases where they want to move back into their homes or sell the property – and they will have stronger rights to evict a tenant when dealing with rent arrears or anti-social behaviour.
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Keir Starmer continued in the Big Issue: “Homes aren’t just about bricks and mortar. They’re a foundation for families to build a life. They represent stability for young children who know that they have a safe home to go to after school. For young professionals who’ve just got a new job in the area. For people trying to save for the future.
“This generational uplift in renters’ rights is about putting more power into the hands of people who have had to stand for unfair behaviour for too long. By giving renters the rights, security and protections they deserve we’ll be able to prevent homelessness, put an end to unsafe housing and make sure people can live with dignity and without fear for the future.”
Tom Darling, director of the Renters’ Reform Coalition, said it was “fantastic” to now have certainty about when the last Section 21 eviction will be.
“It will be important that the government quickly implement the whole act – including the landlord database and Awaab’s Law – so that England’s 12 million private renters, who have waited years for these reforms, can benefit from the new legislation as soon as possible,” he said.
“As sorely needed as the Renters’ Rights Act is, affordability is going to continue to be a huge issue – the biggest issue – facing private renters. We need the government to take real action on this affordability crisis. And for renters to be able to put their new rights into practice, the act must be backed up by rigorous enforcement, with councils given the resources and funding they need to hold criminal landlords to account.”
Read the full exclusive article from the prime minister in the Big Issue magazine, on sale on the streets from Monday (17 November) to Sunday (23 November).
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