Michael Gove confirms “No-fault evictions will be "outlawed".
This morning, Housing Secretary Michael Gove told Laura Kuenssberg of the BBC that ‘No Fault Evictions’ will be banned by the next general election.
It’s difficult to watch this play out in a “Ground Hog” kind of way because since the announcement was made in 2019 that Section 21 (Form 6A) notice would be abolished, nothing much has really changed.
Of course, the Renters Reform Bill which will serve as the vehicle to abolish the Section 21 notice, is currently at the Report Stage, but the government has clearly stated that a ban of the notice cannot be enacted until the court system is improved, something confirmed by Michael Gove last year.
When asked by Laura Kuenssberg if he could guarantee that ‘unlawful evictions’ would end by the time of the next general election, Mr Gove responded that: "We will have outlawed it and we will have put the money into the courts in order to ensure that they can enforce that." A woolly response that is most definitely not possible because reforming the courts will not be a quick fix.
Michael Gove launches new consultation to deliver Awaab’s Law
DLUHC in the Media
There has been widespread coverage in the media about the consultation published by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, which sets out new plans to improve social housing standards and clamp down on rogue social landlords who fail to provide safe homes – supporting the Government’s pledge to deliver Awaab’s Law.
This includes new legal requirements for social landlords to investigate hazards within 14 days, start fixing within a further 7 days, and make emergency repairs within 24 hours. Those landlords who fail to comply can be taken to court where they may be ordered to pay compensation for tenants.
Several national outlets including BBC News, The Sun, The Independent, Daily Mirror, Sky News, and The Daily Telegraph all report that social landlords will be legally required to repair emergency hazards within 24 hours and must keep clear records of issues and their attempts to resolve these – with tenants also given increased legislative power to challenge housing conditions through the courts. Coverage also notes Awaab’s father, Faisal Abdullah, expressing support for the new proposals.
A Look into the Future of the Private Rented Sector - The Publication of theWhite Paper & Renters Reform
After a lot of back and forth, the Government finally published the fairer private rented sector white paper on the 16th of June 2022 which outlines what will ensure millions of families benefit from living in decent, well looked-after homes as part of the biggest shake up of the private rented sector in 30 years.
A new blueprint for renters reform will end the injustice of properties which are unfit for Human Habitation and help protect renters from rising cost of living. The changes are pivotal and significant, and include:-
The removal of the section 21 notice (Form 6A. So-called ‘no fault’ section 21 evictions (which for clarity, NOT EVICTIONS) that allow landlords to terminate tenancies without giving any reason – will no longer be possible.
Extending the Decent Homes Standard within the Private Rented Sector
The end to arbitrary rent review clauses, which will give tenants stronger powers to challenge poor practice, unjustified rent increases and enable tenants to be repaid rent for non-decent homes (RROs)
A blanket ban on refusing to rent to families with children or tenants in receipt of benefits
Making it easier for tenants to share their homes with much-loved pets
The white paper marks a generational shift that will redress the balance between landlords and 4.4 million private rented tenants.
Levelling Up White Paper delayed
This article for appeared in the Times
Boris Johnson faces another wait to unveil his levelling up white paper as Downing Street prepares for the start of this year to be dominated again by coronavirus.
The government had hoped that the document of more than 100 pages, marking the first attempt to flesh out the prime minister’s slogan, would be its first major intervention of the year.
The paper, being written by Michael Gove, the secretary for housing, communities and levelling up, is now more likely to be published later this month.
Johnson promised last May that it would be published by the end of the year. It emerged in December, however, that the white paper had slipped back to this year.
Gove, now in his sixth cabinet position since becoming education secretary in 2010, was handed the task of taking charge of the prime minister’s key domestic drive in the reshuffle last September. He was given the renamed and expanded role of levelling up secretary.