News
Dare I Say It… Is Banning Section 21 Such a Bad Thing?
Wednesday 5th February 2025
Samantha Knight - AFFINITY
For years, landlords have relied on Section 21 to regain possession of their properties, but with the Renters’ Reform Bill set to abolish ‘no-fault’ evictions, many are questioning whether this is a disaster for the private rental sector. However, when you take a step back, is banning Section 21 really such a bad thing?
The reality is that most landlords don’t evict tenants without good reason. Landlords want stable, long-term tenants who pay their rent on time, look after the property, and respect their neighbours. The main reasons for evictions are rent arrears, anti-social behaviour, property damage, or the landlord needing to sell or move a family member in. The good news? Landlords will still be able to evict tenants for all these reasons—just through a different legal process.
In fact, removing Section 21 could help professional landlords by weeding out those who fail to maintain their properties and use evictions to silence tenants who report disrepair. Responsible landlords who provide quality housing and treat tenants fairly have nothing to fear. If anything, this change will improve the reputation of the sector and encourage longer, more secure tenancies.
The real issue isn’t the removal of a Section 21 notice—it’s the need for a more efficient court system. Right now, landlords dealing with genuine problem tenants face lengthy delays when trying to evict through the courts. Reform should focus on streamlining the legal process so landlords can remove non-paying or disruptive tenants quickly, without unnecessary red tape.
Ultimately, landlords who run their properties properly and work with a good agent to manage tenancies will continue to thrive. The focus should be on investment in speeding up the courts not on the form used to do it.
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