Spectre of the Abolition of Section 21 Looms Large at the Labour Conferance

Yesterday at the Labour Party Conferance, John Healey, the shadow housing secretary, proposed the abolition of legislation permitting private landlords to evict tenants without reason.

Section 21 notices allow a landlord to provide notice to their tenant to start the process of ending their Assured Shorthold Tenancy.

Direct of Lettings at leading lettings platform, Urban.co.uk, Adam Male, commented:

“These latest initiatives seem hell-bent on dragging the UK rental sector backwards rather than forwards by following suit with the Scottish market in abolishing the Section 21 notice.

This is yet another attempt to rebalance the scales of the rental market in favour of the tenant and a further attack on the buy-to-let sector which will be detrimental in the long run.

The plight of UK tenants is one that needs focus, but the focus needs to be on creating a harmonious landscape that works for both tenant and landlord alike.

The existing government already seems adamant that the issue lies with UK landlords and has made this clear through the continued implementation of restrictive legislation. If Mr Healey gets his way, he'll further exacerbate the issues and ironically, won't just be biting the hand that feeds UK tenants, but chopping it off altogether.”

ABC Comment: At the ABC we do not agree.  Tenants who want to get into work need stability. We meet people who have moved five times in five years. The ability to evict tenants for no reason, creates enormous uncertainty for people. A feeling of constant insecurity. Tenants who want to complain feel threatened. We don't live in the days of landlords and serfs. Tenants are not second-class citizens that deserve no rights - people need a secure home. It is the basis of all happiness and wellbeing. Shutting your door on the rest of the world is one of the greatest privileges you can have.