Reed told the BBC he was “working with the Ministry of Justice to look at how we can ensure that there are not undue delays” in situations where a landlord wanted to evict a tenant who was misbehaving.
In addition, landlords will be able to evict tenants if they want to sell or move into the property but not in the first 12 months after a tenancy begins.
The new laws also include banning bidding wars and discrimination of parents and those on benefits, as well as setting out a clearer process for those renting with pets.
Many renters’ groups have welcomed the changes. The Renters Reform Coalition – which includes Shelter, Generation Rent and Citizens Advice – says section 21 is “a huge issue”.
“It is not the prospect of giving renters these vital rights that is fuelling record homelessness, but the gross injustice of no-fault evictions,” said Shelter’s Mairi MacRae.
The Renters’ Rights Act applies to England. Scotland abolished no-fault evictions in 2017, but Wales and Northern Ireland still have no-fault evictions under something similar to section 21. In 2022, Wales increased the notice period for these to six months.
