![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dev.withcreative.co.uk\/lforl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/shutterstock_1150779911-1024x1024.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
A few weeks ago, when the proposed abolition of no-fault evictions was announced, we speculated that, should the move go ahead, many private landlords would quit the sector. Now surveys we have been conducting \u2013 amongst landlords on our database and those attending landlord shows \u2013 have shown us the scale of the potential exodus.<\/p>\n
Around 4 in 10 are seriously considering whether to remain in the sector. Most respondents had a strong view on the issue, and although few believe we can counter the proposal, they are keeping a \u00a0close and worried eye on the details of the situation.<\/p>\n
A key issue is that there is little trust in the Government\u2019s proposed safeguards for landlords who have legitimate reasons for wanting to regain possession. This isn\u2019t helped when ministers routinely talk about it taking only a couple of months to evict a tenant. The reality \u2013 even when the legal processes are handled as efficiently as possible \u2013 is that it can easily take twice as long.<\/p>\n
At the heart of the problem is a system that fails to protect the interests of good landlords from dodgy tenants and good tenants from dodgy landlords. Although something needs to be done to fix this, getting rid of Section 21 isn\u2019t the answer.<\/p>\n
We have a housing sector that depends upon an army of small landlords who have invested to give themselves an income and a pension. In most cases, they\u2019re diligent, responsible and fair and have no desire to evict tenants on a whim. Section 21 is a backstop, a safety net, their guarantee that their investment <\/em>remains<\/em> something they can control<\/em>. Without a reliable way of ensuring that \u2013 and current court procedures aren\u2019t instilling any confidence \u2013 it\u2019s easy to see that many will choose to sell up. On top of everything else, this extra risk is the straw that could break the camel\u2019s back.<\/p>\n No doubt some landlords abuse the current S21 provision. Sadly, there will always be cases where tenants are treated unfairly, and these must be recognised. But as usual, the majority is being tarred by the actions of a few. And what\u2019s happening now \u2013 this constant erosion of the rights of landlords \u2013 is not in response to mainstream practice. It\u2019s in response to those who should, in truth, be prohibited from being landlords.<\/p>\n We see these reactions time and again from our politicians. There\u2019s an outcry from a minority and the freedoms and rights of everyone are compromised as a result.\u00a0 Housing is an emotive issue and any move that looks like it serves the needs of most people will initially be popular with the electorate. But when you start to dig deeper, you realise that this change may not benefit those it should. Good tenants are likely to find their rents increasing as landlords seek a little extra compensation for their increased risk. In addition, those with a less than perfect profile or credit score will find it harder than ever to find a place to live \u2013 and may have to fall back upon the offerings of our sector\u2019s worst rogue landlords.<\/p>\n If the figures from our surveys are correct, the implications are huge. A relatively small proportion of cases will reshape the sector, and possibly not for the better.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A few weeks ago, when the proposed abolition of no-fault evictions was announced, we speculated that, should the move go ahead, many private landlords would quit the sector. Now surveys we have been conducting \u2013 amongst landlords on our database and those attending landlord shows \u2013 have shown us the scale of the potential exodus. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5940,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[56,63,2081,2183,534,21],"yoast_head":"\n