How will an eviction ban affect residential landlords?

The long-awaited Renters’ (Reform) Bill – published after a three-and-a-half-year wait – reveals the Government’s intention to abolish “no-fault” evictions in England.

The plans mark a significant overhaul of the private rental sector. Currently known as Section 21 evictions, these allow landlords to regain possession of their properties without providing a specific reason.

Housing Secretary Michael Gove has previously argued that this practice enables unscrupulous landlords to intimidate tenants into silence regarding disrepair issues.

In addition to the abolition of no-fault evictions, the Bill aims to establish a legal right for tenants to request permission to have pets in their homes. Landlords will be obligated to consider these requests reasonably and refrain from unreasonably denying them.

The proposed measures will affect approximately 11 million tenants and two million landlords in England, according to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).

Key measures introduced by the Bill include:

Elimination of no-fault evictions
Simplified eviction process for tenants displaying anti-social behaviour or repeatedly missing rent payments
Restriction of rent increases to once a year, with landlords required to provide two months’ notice
Mandatory consideration by landlords of all pet-related requests, with unreasonable refusals prohibited
Implementation of minimum housing standards in the private sector, ensuring accommodation is free from health and safety hazards and is well-maintained
Prohibition of blanket bans on benefit claimants or families with children
Introduction of an ombudsman overseeing all private landlords, equipped with the authority to enforce landlord apologies and award compensation up to £25,000
Establishment of an online property portal where landlords must demonstrate compliance with legal requirements

Lorraine Walker, a Solicitor with Mander Hadley, who specialises in residential landlord and tenant matters, said: “The laws that regulate tenancy agreements have always been complicated and the latest Bill will undoubtedly raise concerns amongst residential landlords regarding their rights and obligations.

“Regardless of the proposed reforms to Section 21 evictions, it remains important that from the outset, a properly worded tenancy agreement is put in place and is agreed by both parties.

“If the tenancy agreement is not drafted properly it can result in disputes and legal action further down the line.”

At Mander Hadley, our experienced team of legal experts offer a full range of services for residential landlords including: