Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Section 21 No-fault Evictions

Monday 21 November 2022 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial commitment to end section 21 no-fault evictions in line with manifesto promises.
  • Government received YouGov estimates indicating 227,000 people served section 21 notices since pledge.
  • Consultation on decent homes standard concluded, responses being evaluated for upcoming legislation.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Housing
Context

The Liberal Democrat MP is concerned about the ongoing use of section 21 no-fault evictions, which allow landlords to terminate tenancies without giving a reason.

Question

When he plans to end section 21 no-fault evictions. The tragic death of Awaab Ishak has highlighted the deadly consequences of poor-quality housing. Many tenants in the private sector face similar if not worse problems with damp and mould, but do not dare to speak up due to fear of being evicted.

Answer from Felicity Buchan

In line with the Conservative manifesto, we remain fully committed to ending section 21 to ensure that renters feel secure in their homes and are empowered to challenge poor standards and unjustified rent increases. That is rightly a priority for the Government and we will bring forward legislation during this Parliament.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline or details about when section 21 no-fault evictions would end.

How: We Remain Fully Committed

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Sarah Green Lib Dem Chesham and Amersham
Housing
Context

A local homelessness charity has reported rising demand for their services due to the threat of no-fault evictions.

Question

Three years ago, the Government pledged to ban section 21 no-fault evictions and it is good to hear that they are committed to doing so. During this time, YouGov estimates that 227,000 people in England have been served such notices. I recently spoke to representatives from a local homelessness charity who were concerned about the rising demand for their homelessness prevention service. May I push the Minister a little further and ask her to confirm when in this Parliament the Government will put an end to no-fault evictions and what additional support will they be providing to those working to end homelessness?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

We are committed to taking forward this legislation, which is why we published the White Paper in June. Our consultation on the decent homes standard concluded on 14 October and we are currently evaluating the responses to it. We will introduce the legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline or additional support details.

How: We Are Committed To Taking Forward This Legislation

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Housing
Context

The tragic death of Awaab Ishak has drawn attention to the issues facing tenants in poor-quality housing conditions.

Question

In asking my question, I refer Members to my entry in the Register of Members' Financial Interests. The tragic death of Awaab Ishak has highlighted the deadly consequences of poor-quality housing. Many tenants in the private sector face similar if not worse problems with damp and mould, but do not dare to speak up due to fear of being evicted. Is it not high time that the private rental sector is also more tightly regulated and that the tighter inspection regime and penalties that the Secretary of State announced last week should apply to that sector, too?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

I wish to give all my condolences to the family of Awaab. Clearly, it is simply unacceptable in today's world that a young boy can die in that way. I am committed, as I have said, to implementing a decent homes standard and to making sure that the enforcement of it is strict.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specifics on applying tighter inspection regimes to private rental sector.

How: I Am Committed

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 Christopher Chope Con Christchurch
Housing
Context

There is concern about the potential impact of abolishing section 21 no-fault evictions on the supply of rented housing.

Question

How will abolishing section 21 increase the supply of rented housing?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

We are looking to abolish section 21 at the same time as we strengthen the grounds for landlords to take possession of their properties if they have a good reason to do so—that could be because of antisocial behaviour, rent arrears, or needing to sell the property. The two go in tandem, but it is absolutely imperative that we go ahead with the abolition of section 21.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific measures for increasing rental supply.

How: The Two Go In Tandem

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q5 Paula Barker Lab Liverpool Wavertree
Housing
Context

There has been a reported increase of 26% in section 21 evictions during the first quarter of this year.

Question

Later this week, the Department is scheduled to release stats for the second quarter of the year on section 21 evictions. The emerging picture is clear: section 21 evictions are going up. We saw a 26% increase during the first quarter of this year. We are now three years down the track from the publication of the 2019 Conservative manifesto promising to end section 21. I note that the Minister has committed today to ending section 21 in this Parliament, but may I push further and urge the Department to commit to bringing forward emergency legislation early in the new year to end this scandal, working with the Opposition to do so? Will those on the Government Benches accept that, through their inaction, the Department is leaving tenants vulnerable to eviction in the meantime?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

As I have said, we are committed to abolishing section 21 in this Parliament at the earliest opportunity.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline for bringing forward emergency legislation or details on working with opposition.

How: We Are Committed

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)