?In recent years, there has been a growing movement in the UK to scrap Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions. Section 21 allows landlords to evict tenants without giving a reason. It has now been confirmed that Section 21 will be scrapped as part of the Renters Reform Bill.
In recent years, there has been a growing movement in the UK to scrap Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions. Section 21 allows landlords to evict tenants without giving a reason. It has now been confirmed that Section 21 will be scrapped as part of the Renters Reform Bill.
There are many arguments for and against scrapping Section 21. Here we explore some of the negative implications that scrapping Section 21 could have for landlords.
Increase in problem tenants.
If tenants know they cannot be easily removed from a property, they may be less likely to take care of the property or obey the terms of their tenancy agreement. This could lead to an increase in problem tenants, who cause damage to properties and disrupt the lives of their neighbours.
Landlords left out of pocket
If tenants stop paying rent or damage property, landlords could be left out of pocket as they would have no easy way to remove the tenant and re-let the property. This could lead to financial difficulties for landlords, particularly those who rely on rental income to support themselves.
The private rental sector will suffer
The private rental sector is vital in providing housing for millions of people in the UK. If scrapping Section 21 leads to an increasing problem for tenants and financial difficulties for landlords, more landlords will choose to sell up leaving a further shortage of rental properties.
Impact on vulnerable tenants
The eviction process can be stressful and disruptive for vulnerable tenants, such as those with mental health problems or caring responsibilities. If scrapping Section 21 makes it harder for landlords to evict problem tenants, this could harm vulnerable tenants trying to live peacefully in their homes.
Increase in homelessness
According to research, there has been a sharp increase in homelessness in the past five years. This is partly due to the fact that benefits and other forms of support have been cut back, leaving people struggling to make ends meet. In addition, the introduction of Universal Credit has made it more difficult for people to access the support they need. If scrapping Section 21 makes it more difficult for landlords to evict problem tenants, this could increase homelessness as people are forced out of their homes with nowhere else to go. The government needs to take urgent action to address this problem, or we could see a further increase in homelessness in the years to come.