Generation Rent calls for proposed Section 8 eviction ‘loophole’ to be closed

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Tenants’ group Generation Rent has backed the DLUHC select committee’s call to close a loophole in proposed Section 8 reforms.

It says the government’s plan to ban Section 21 evictions but still allow landlords to evict tenants when needing to sell or move back into a property are flawed.

The Renters Reform Bill aims to introduce these grounds for possession which landlords could use in the first six months of a tenancy.

They could then only market or re-let these properties after three months. In its report, the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Select Committee on Reforming the Private Rented Sector suggests this should be increased to one year and six months respectively.

Spot on

Generation Rent director Alicia Kennedy says the committee is spot on with its warning that the proposed eviction grounds could be too easily exploited by bad landlords and leave renters vulnerable to unfair evictions.

“When landlords sell up, renters should get more protection from eviction including measures to encourage sales of tenanted properties and longer notice periods,” she says. 

“Private renters will never enjoy stability in their lives or have the power to complain about their home if they can be evicted without the landlord needing a reason.”

Holiday lets

Kennedy also praised the committee for showing an understanding of the need to control the rise of the holiday let sector and for greater efforts to improve energy efficiency in private rented homes.

“Private renters have been especially exposed to the rising cost of living, with rising rents and draughty homes. We now need to see urgent action from the government to bring forward their Bill to make these reforms a reality,” she adds.

The report urges the government to implement a tourist accommodation registration scheme and warns that banning Section 21 evictions will lead to a surge of possessions cases.

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