London mayor Sadiq Khan has slammed ministers ‘broken promises’ over protections for private renters amid reports that promised reforms are being watered down.
Mr Khan criticised the ‘months of dither and delay’ to passing the Renters (Reform) Bill, introduced in Parliament last May, which includes a ban on private landlords repossessing their properties at short notice without having to establish fault on the part of the tenant.
Since the Government first pledged to outlaw the practice in 2019, more than 30,000 renting households in the capital have faced a section 21 ‘no-fault’ eviction claim, according to new City Hall analysis.
In the last year, the number of claims in London increased by 62% – jumping from 7,057 in 2022 to 11,457 in 2023 – and the mayor’s office has warned that delays to introducing the ban may mean landlords are acting now to avoid it.
The BBC also reported last week that the Bill could be watered down to include greater protections for landlords.
A Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokesperson said: ‘We continue to meet regularly with a range of groups, representing all those in the private rented sector.’
Levelling up secretary Michael Gove insisted last month that no-fault evictions will be banned by the time of a general election, despite previous concerns that the courts may not be able to cope.
