The ban targets Section 21 evictions, which allow landlords to reclaim properties from tenants without specifying a particular reason. This proposal had been a significant component of the Conservative Party’s 2019 manifesto and was officially confirmed in May of the current year.
Despite the public commitment, rumblings within the party indicate that there is considerable unease regarding the implications of the proposed ban. A portion of this unrest stems from MPs who are property owners themselves and view the ban as contradicting traditional Conservative values, labeling it as “anti-landlord.”
Gove’s recent correspondence with backbenchers, a copy of which was procured by Sky News, elucidates his position on the matter. The housing secretary emphasized the necessity of court reforms prior to any repeal of Section 21, citing the importance of a “fast and efficient court system” for the effective implementation of the new system.
Gove’s letter outlines a few of the proposed reforms, which include the digital transformation of various court processes, prioritizing specific case categories like anti-social behavior, and enhancing the processes of hiring and retaining bailiffs.
While the commitment to tenants’ rights remains evident, the pathway to achieving this end appears fraught with internal party deliberations and potential procedural overhauls. How these dynamics will unfold and their implications for renters across the UK remain to be seen.