Delay for no-fault eviction ban

MICHAEL GOVE’S promise to ban no-fault evictions will not go ahead until a full review of the courts has been completed, MPS have confirmed.

Ministers voted in favour of the Renters’ Reform Bill last night but a new amendment would postpone a ban on “no fault” Section 21 evictions until a legal review has taken place.

Pressure has been mounting on the Housing Secretary to delay the ban on no-fault evictions for fear that current court delays could worsen under the pressure and it could deter landlords.

Currently, no-fault evictions allow a landlord to evict a tenant with two months’ notice and without seeking court approval. Under the ban – a promise made by the Tories in their 2019 manifesto – all evictions will have to go through the county courts.

MPS last night voted by 287 to 144, in favour of the new clause.

Matthew Pennycook, the shadow housing minister, tabled an amendment to roll out the ban as soon as the Bill is enshrined in law and before a county court review. MPS voted by 282 to 158 against this. A Labour amendment to ensure the abolition of Section 21 evictions would come into force on the Bill’s royal assent was also rejected.

Tory MP for Bromley and Chislehurst, Sir Robert Neill, told the Commons he backed the county court review, “Not because I want to delay that reform, but because I do think we have to be frank and open about the pressure that potentially puts on an already strained county courts system.”