The government's flagship Renters Reform Bill, a cornerstone of its pledge to protect tenants, is on the brink of being gutted, prompting fury from housing charities and campaigners.
Ministers are facing accusations of capitulating to a powerful landlord lobby, with key protections—most notably the promised ban on Section 21 'no-fault' evictions—now at serious risk of being dropped or indefinitely delayed.
A Betrayal of Promises
This potential U-turn represents a major betrayal of the government's 2019 manifesto commitment to abolish Section 21, a mechanism that allows landlords to evict tenants without giving a reason. The move was intended to create greater security for the UK's 11 million private renters.
Housing Secretary Michael Gove, who had previously championed the reforms, is now reportedly overseeing a retreat under significant pressure from backbench MPs and property industry groups.
What's at Stake?
The fears centre on several critical elements of the proposed bill:
- The Section 21 Ban: The complete abolition of no-fault evictions, the centrepiece of the reform, is now in doubt.
- New Courts System: Reforms are allegedly being halted until a new court process is implemented, a condition critics label a delaying tactic that could push changes past the next general election.
- Other Key Reforms: Protections for tenants with pets or on benefits may also be weakened or removed entirely to appease landlord concerns.
Reactions and Warnings
Housing advocacy groups have reacted with outrage. Generation Rent called the news "a betrayal of private renters," warning that without the ban, tenants remain vulnerable to retaliatory evictions for complaining about poor conditions.
Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, stated, "The government’s commitment to scrap Section 21 was a promise to protect renters. Rowling back on it now would be a cowardly move that leaves tenants facing a constant fear of homelessness."
This development signals a major victory for landlord associations, who have campaigned vigorously against the changes, arguing they would stifle the rental market and discourage investment.
The Political Fallout
The controversy places Michael Gove and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in a difficult position, caught between fulfilling a key manifesto pledge and managing a rebellion within their own party. The decision will be seen as a major test of the government's commitment to levelling up and supporting vulnerable tenants.
For millions of renters across the country, the outcome will determine whether they gain long-awaited security or remain at the mercy of a volatile and often unfair rental market.
