Section 21 ban: NRLA fights members' corner in week of Whitehall turmoil

In what was yet another turbulent week in British political history, the NRLA was quick to make a stand on behalf of its members amid widespread press interest in the Government’s plans for the future of Section 21 evictions.

With speculation from unnamed sources in The Times intimating that the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) was preparing to reverse its proposed abolition of ‘no fault’ evictions, we issued our response to commentators looking to hear the ‘landlord’s perspective’. The Prime Minister’s unequivocal statement at PMQs that the ban on Section 21 evictions will proceed as planned added to the mood of uncertainty across the UK’s private rented sector.

Addressing the latest developments in the Government’s ongoing efforts to reform the private rented sector, our CEO Ben Beadle said:

"Whatever the Government’s plans, a wide range of reforms are desperately needed to support the sector. The supply crisis in the sector must be addressed urgently, while much more needs to be done to root out criminal and rogue landlords. Likewise vulnerable tenants can and should be better supported by unfreezing housing benefit rates.   

“The NRLA will continue to work with all parties to ensure that reforms are fair and workable and command the support of tenants and responsible landlords."

Following distribution of this statement, Ben and our Policy Director Chris Norris were featured across a range of broadcast media, BBC Radio 5 Live (contribution begins at 1:12:38), Times Radio and GB News. Following these media appearances, our insights were syndicated by 12 other broadcast outlets.

Our campaigning this week also produced wide-ranging press coverage across other media outlets in the national, trade and local press. The NRLA’s comments were also featured in reports from (among others) ITV News, AOL UK, Mortgage Strategy, The Negotiator and Landlord Today.

On Wednesday, NRLA CEO Ben Beadle also appeared on the BBC Breakfast sofa on the topic of housing standards and rented homes. During the interview Ben discussed how to improve enforcement to support tenants and responsible landlords.

Elsewhere, the NRLA’s Douglas Haig took to the airwaves on BBC Radio Wales in order to point out the Welsh Government’s “constant tinkering and short notice changes” in the run-up to the implementation of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act later this year. Douglas’ remarks were also featured on BBC News’ online news pages here.

This work gave us the opportunity to flag our members’ concerns about the Government’s ongoing failure to address the acute supply and demand crisis affecting the UK’s private rented sector.

As the UK proceeds down its current route towards further instability, the NRLA will continue to represent its members prominently across target media.