In June the Government released a long awaited white paper on private rented sector reforms that many organisations and housing justice campaigners hoped would mark the final end to the use of no fault evictions as well as wider reforms to the sector. In reality, while we celebrate the abolishing of section 21 notices, there are wide gaps that the white paper fails to address, particularly for those on the lowest incomes who are routinely shut out from suitable, stable and affordable housing.
We responded to the call for evidence with several concerns we have based on our direct experience working with low income renters facing tenancy insecurity in London. These include:
- Making it illegal for landlords to not rent to benefits recipients is a positive development but without teeth: direct discrimination against those on benefits continues despite several court rulings declaring it as unlawful. Indirect discrimination manifests in the form of requests to potential renters of a guarantor with £45,000 in income or reference to evidence of income that is x2.5 above the rent are just some barriers to entry for renters receiving benefits.
- The report makes no mention of the growing gaps between Local Housing Allowance rates and rising rents.
- Efforts to abolish section 21 leave in place loopholes that landlords can exploit, even in the event that the legislation is passed.
You can read our full response to the Government here.
