MINISTERS will today unveil a long-awaited “once in a generation” shake-up of England’s rental sector.
Under a new law, hated Section 21 no-fault evictions, where landlords can kick tenants out of their property for no reason, will finally be banned.
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And landlords will have to allow tenants to keep pets unless they have a reasonable excuse against it.
Meanwhile, the Decent Homes Standard will apply to the private rented sector – not just social housing – for the first time.
This will ban landlords from renting out shoddy properties covered in mould, and will require them to fix issues quickly once they arise in a home.
Landlords will also be barred from refusing to rent to Brits on benefits or couples with kids.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove hailed today’s reforms as game-changing to England’s 11 million renters.
He told The Sun: :”We’ve now got a green light to go ahead and make sure Section 21 goes.
“Unscrupulous landlords can do it to intimidate people into either accepting extortionate rent rises or keeping shtum about the poor standard of their flats.”
Mr Gove added: “We know there are a minority of rogue landlords that use Section 21 to say to people in a vulnerable position, accept this rent increase or you’re out.
“By getting rid of section 21 we provide people with the protection of knowing they can’t be evicted if they release these sort of extortionate rent rises as well.”
Under the new Renters’ Reform Bill, landlords will be able to kick out tenants more easily if they want to sell their property, move in a close family member, or when tenants wilfully don’t pay rent.
Notice periods will also be reduced where tenants have been exhibited anti-social behaviour, such as damaging parts of the property or breaching their rental contract.
A new rental ombudsman will be appointed to provide quick and cheaper resolutions to disputes between landlords and tenants.
Mr Gove said: “Too many renters are living in damp, unsafe, cold homes, powerless to put things right, and with the threat of sudden eviction hanging over them.
“This Government is determined to tackle these injustices by offering a New Deal to those living in the Private Rented Sector; one with quality, affordability, and fairness at its heart.”
Responding to the new law, Labour accused the Tories of leaving the rental sector looking like the “wild west”.
Shadow Levelling Up Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “After years of delay, broken promises and arguments amongst themselves, the private rented sector increasingly resembles the wild west and it’s far from clear that this government can deliver.
“Labour’s Renters’ Charter will take real action to make renting fairer, more secure and more affordable. If the government hasn’t finally delivered on the long overdue abolition of ‘no fault’ evictions, Labour will.”
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Ms Nandy vowed to introduce a four-month notice period for landlords if Labour wins the next election.
The shadow minister also promised to create a national register of landlords, and a host of new rights for tenants – including the right to make alterations to your home, to request speedy repairs, and to have pets.
