An aim to ban no-fault evictions could help renters in Peterborough
The plans are part of the Renters’ Rights Bill which was introduced to parliament on earlier this month
Renters in Peterborough could see the benefits of the government's ban on no-fault evictions.
No fault evictions will be banned, and renters will receive greater protections and security from eviction thanks to historic legislation to level the playing field between tenants and landlords.
The Renters’ Rights Bill, introduced to Parliament on Wednesday 11th September, will ban Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions for new and existing tenancies, extend Awaab’s Law into the private rented sector and end blanket bans for those on benefits or with children.
Banning Section 21 will reassure tenants they can challenge bad practice without the fear of retaliatory eviction, as landlords will need to provide a valid cause to end a tenancy early. Going further than ever before, the Bill will abolish Section 21 evictions for both new and existing tenancies at the same time, giving all private renters immediate security and assurance.
Last year alone, nearly 26,000 households faced homelessness as a result of a Section 21 eviction and had to go to their council for support.
Greater security will give renters peace of mind, so they can build their lives in their communities.
Councillor Alison Jones, cabinet member for housing and communities at Peterborough City Council said:
"I think it can only be a good thing if I'm being honest, because as a local councillor, I've dealt with many residents who have had to face a section 21 and it is extremely stressful for them."
"They've done nothing wrong. They're not in rent arrears, they've not had anti-social behaviour or anything and they're just faced with this section 21. They then have a couple of weeks to go through all the court processes of how they can rearrange their lives. Which, as we know, isn't easy in that short space of time, so this is going to be a really positive thing."
"The effects it has on the family are absolutely distressing because they're facing basically being homeless. There was a family that had three kids and they were obviously based in the city and it's like, where are we going to go? What are we going to do? So it's exceptionally stressful."
"The no-fault evictions is sadly one of our top five reasons that the Council actually face and then have to deal with residents, and again, we're looking at homelessness, so with that it really is a serious situation that we have in Peterborough."
Standards will also be driven up, as the Decent Homes Standard will be applied to the private rented sector for the first time. Currently 21% of privately rented homes are considered non-decent and more than 500,000 contain the most serious of hazards. Clear expectations will be set so tenants can expect safe, well-maintained, and secure living conditions.
Good landlords who provide these standards will benefit from clear regulation. This will eliminate unfair competition from those who, for far too long, have got away with renting out substandard properties to tenants.
Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner said:
'Renters have been let down for too long and too many are stuck in disgraceful conditions, powerless to act because of the threat of a retaliatory eviction hanging over them.'
'Most landlords act in a responsible way but a small number of unscrupulous ones are tarnishing the reputation of the whole sector by making the most of the housing crisis and forcing tenants into bidding wars.'
'There can be no more dither and delay. We must overhaul renting and rebalance the relationship between tenant and landlord. This Bill will do just that and tenants can be reassured this Government will protect them.'