Housing: Section 21 Evictions

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean Excerpts
Tuesday 20th February 2024

(2 months, 3 weeks ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Penn Portrait Baroness Penn (Con)
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My Lords, the vast majority of landlords do an excellent job, but we know that a small minority use the threat of Section 21 evictions to hike up rents or intimidate tenants into not challenging completely unfit conditions. That is why we have brought forward our proposal to abolish Section 21 evictions, but we have also brought forward a widening of the grounds for possession, so that the system works for both sides in this situation.

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean Portrait Lord Forsyth of Drumlean (Con)
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My Lords, why are so many landlords selling their properties and withdrawing from the market?

Baroness Penn Portrait Baroness Penn (Con)
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My Lords, we keep this matter closely under review. We do not see evidence of a reduction of available rental properties in the market and would be concerned if we did. We have worked very hard to make sure that these reforms work for landlords and tenants.