Government set to ban ‘no fault evictions’

The government has outlined plans to ban “no fault” evictions as part of its Renters’ (Reform) Bill unveiled today. The new reforms will also make it easier for landlords to evict tenants for anti-social behaviour or repeatedly missing rent payments alongside reduced notice periods for “irresponsible renters”. In addition, the bill seeks to introduce minimum standards for housing in the private sector, meaning all accommodation must be free from health and safety hazards and be “well maintained. It also includes plans to form a new ombudsman which will oversee dispute resolutions and will have the power to enforce landlord apologies and compensation up to £25,000. Furthermore, rents will only be allowed to be raised once per year and a two month notice period will have to be given. The new bill will also outlaw blanket bans on tenants who are benefits claimants or who have children. Landlords will also be forced to consider all requests to own a pet and cannot deny them without a good reason. A new digital property portal will be set up to enable landlords to “understand their obligations” and help tenants “make better decisions when signing a new tenancy agreement”. Michael Gove, housing secretary, 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. “Our new laws introduced to Parliament today will support the vast majority of responsible landlords who provide quality homes to their tenants, while delivering our manifesto commitment to abolish Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions.” Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, added: “We have long needed a statutory single private rental Ombudsman - so I’m pleased to see it in the legislative plans. After all, disputes are often between two individuals - landlord and tenant – rather than between companies, so it can be very personal and difficult to sort. “Crucially, it won’t be voluntary, all private landlords will be required to join the Ombudsman, and it will have legal authority to compel apologies, take remedial action and pay compensation.”

Government set to ban ‘no fault evictions’

Landlords will also be forced to consider all requests to own a pet and cannot deny them without a good reason

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