Number of councils backing Section 21 abolishment is rising

Norwich City Council has this week unanimously agreed to write to the government urging them to continue with their plans to abolish Section 21 evictions. They are the latest in a string of councils to back the proposal to end ‘no-fault evictions’.

Beth Jones, Labour councillor who tabled the motion, said: “Section 21 haunts those in the private sector with an assured shorthold tenancy.

“With often only a six month tenancy they can, through no fault of their own, be forced out of a house that became home, where they have put down roots, in only a matter of weeks.

“Section 21 is the rogue landlord’s trump card. Without any good reason, or even reason at all, a landlord can apply for Section 21, forcing the tenant out in a matter of weeks with no redress.”

Cllr Jones said: “We’ve taken decisive and significant action to protect private renters in Norwich, but abolishing Section 21, which the Government needs to do, would be an enormous help.

“This motion adds to the campaign and movement which is growing in our city and nationally on this important issue.”

Norwich is not the first or only council to back the Government’s plans to abolish Section 21. Hackney Council, in London, voted in July to support the abolition. Also in July, Bath and Northeast Somerset Council voted to lobby for the abolishment of Section 21.
Generation Rent has released a list here of 22 councils in total that have voted to support the abolition.