It is the general election on 4 July 2024. Each of the four main parties has set out their manifestos, and each makes different pledges to the public about how they will handle reform of the ‘no-fault eviction’ regime. Some parties have pledged to make quick changes overnight, whereas others are hoping to introduce smaller changes long term. Let’s look at what each party is pledging.
| The Conservative Party
The Conservative Party has pledged to pass a Renters Reform Bill that they say will deliver fairness in the rental market for landlords and renters alike. They have also pledged to deliver the Court reforms necessary to fully abolish section 21 and strengthen other grounds for landlords to evict private tenants guilty of anti-social behaviour.
As we explained in our earlier blogs, this is likely to be a slow process. Until the Courts can cope with the demands of more section 8 hearings, will a Conservative government actually abolish s21s? What options will be available for landlords to seek possession where the situation does not meet the criteria for a s8 notice?
| The Labour Party
The Labour Party has pledged to immediately abolish s21 ‘no fault’ evictions.
In light of the current court backlogs, many courts will still be progressing claims issued under s21. So is this actually realistic?
What will be in place for landlords who have paid fees and issued their claims? Will the Court systems, in their current form, be able to cope with an influx of section 8 hearings if section 21 is abolished?
What are Labour proposing to put in place for landlords who have been left with no choice but to evict tenants? For example for anti-social or criminal behaviour.
The Labour Party has also made a number of other pledges around private rentals:
- To prevent private renters being exploited and discriminated against;
- To empower private tenants to challenge unreasonable rent increases; and
- To take steps to decisively raise standards, including extending ‘Awaab’s Law’ to the private sector.
Awaab’s Law was introduced in the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023, and requires social housing landlords to adhere to strict time limits to address dangerous hazards such as damp and mould in their properties.
| The Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats have promised “to deliver a fair deal for renters”. This is by abolishing s21 immediately and reintroducing EPC targets for rented properties. The party’s manifesto proposes making three-year tenancies the norm and creating a national register of licensed landlords.
This appears to suggest there may be more restrictions on landlords if the Lib Dems are successful in the election. It also raises the question as to how quickly they would abolish s21. Is it really possible to do this overnight?
| The Green Party
In terms of s21 notices, elected Greens will push to end no fault evictions. Among other pledges, they propose to introduce a Private Residential Tenancy Board. The plan would that this would provide an informal, cheap and quick forum for resolving disputes before they reach a tribunal.
This is an interesting approach, which could mean that some of the pressure would be taken off the, already struggling, Court system. But it still leaves the question of how quickly the changes could be implemented. If a matter is referred to a Private Residential Tenancy Board, when can a landlord then seek to bring proceedings to Court?
It will no doubt be interesting to see, irrespective of which party comes into power, whether they will be able to deliver on these manifesto pledges on no fault evictions. And, if so, whether this will be doable as quickly as they hope.
We will keep you updated as we get closer to the election. For more information about how our property disputes team can help you, please call us on 0800 988 7756. Or fill in our contact form and we will call you back.
