Charities Rally to Urge Swift Action on Renters Reform Bill to End No-Fault Evictions
30 charities and non-profit organisations are urging Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to advance the Renters Reform Bill, which seeks to ban "no-fault" evictions in England. The groups have composed a joint letter to the Prime Minister, expressing their deep concern over the delayed legislative progress of this critical bill, warning that further delays will result in more avoidable hardship, suffering, and an increased burden on taxpayers.
The Renters Reform Bill, which was brought to Parliament in May following the Conservative Party’s promise of a better deal for renters in their election manifesto, aims to eliminate Section 21 evictions. Under the current law, landlords can evict tenants with only two months' notice without providing any reason. The coalition, led by the Shelter housing charity, emphasises that this legislation should be at the heart of the government's plans to ensure greater security for renters.
A recent survey of over 1,900 private renters in England estimates that a Section 21 notice is issued every three minutes, with over 7% of respondents having received such a notice in the last three years. This alarming frequency suggests that approximately 543 eviction notices are issued daily to the more than eight million individuals living in privately rented homes.
Despite being introduced to Parliament five months ago, a date for the bill's second reading has not been set, raising concerns that it may not pass into law before the next parliamentary session ends. Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities, affirmed his commitment to securing a second reading "this autumn" during the recent Tory conference.
However, the delays are viewed by some, including Angela Rayner, the shadow housing secretary and shadow deputy prime minister, as the result of "Tory infighting" and "weak leadership." She stated that the government's failure to fulfil its pledge made four years ago and to take action on the proposed reforms remains unexplained.
The coalition of charities is determined to ensure that renters do not have to wait any longer for the protections promised in the Renters Reform Bill. Their letter, also endorsed by organisations like the Child Poverty Action Group, the Trussell Trust, and Citizens Advice, calls for the government to fulfil its commitment to progress the Renters Reform Bill in this parliamentary session and enact it into law, as outlined in the party's manifesto. They argue that ending "no-fault" evictions is crucial in addressing homelessness and providing greater security for tenants.
