The RLA has conducted its most wide ranging landlord research yet concerning government announced plans to ban Section 21 so called ‘no fault’ evictions.
The research included feedback from over 6000 Private Landlords and strongly contradicts the Government, Press and Shelter assumption that the majority of tenants evicted under section 21 are for no fault.
The following reasons were given by landlords for using section 21:
84% because their tenant hadn’t been paying rent
56% because of damage to property
51% because of anti-social behaviour
26% said that they had served a Section 21 notice at the tenants’ request to enable them to seek social housing to avoid them being classed as intentionally homeless
84% of landlords said they would be ‘more selective’ in choosing tenants if the government bans Section 21, because of the fear of difficulties and time involved in gaining possession when something goes wrong. Therefore, this would marginalise further tenants that need the most help such as DSS or any prospective tenant who cannot pass a reference/credit check and does not have a guarantor.