Almost a third of the MPs attempting to make amendments to the Renters Reform Bill are landlords, analysis has revealed.
MPs including Bob Blackman, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Desmond Swayne, Marco Longhi and Geoffrey Clifton-Brown are pressing for changes to the long-awaited Renters Reform Bill, with a view to making it easier for landlords to evict tenants for antisocial behaviour.
A total of 47 Conservative backbenchers have signed amendments that housing campaigners argue will “gut” legislation, while there are growing concerns that the reforms, initially proposed in 2019, will not be introduced before the general election.
According to an analysis of the register of members’ financial interests by the Renters’ Reform Coalition, a campaign group, 14 of the MPs backing the changes to the bill are landlords, renting out a combined 52 homes.
The MPs also want to force Michael Gove, the secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities, to review the operation of county courts before banning Section 21 evictions.
In addition, they want the existing fixed-term tenancy system to continue in certain circumstances, instead of allowing tenants more flexibility to end tenancies where they need to.
Tom Darling, the campaign manager of the Renters’ Reform Coalition, said: “Those making money out of our broken housing system should not be holding up and watering down reforms to give renters more rights.
“That these landlord MPs are now choosing to sign amendments to water down, delay or even stop altogether these vital reforms is shocking. We are now worried that the government will try to do a deal with these MPs to get a bill passed that offers little improvement for renters.”
Responding to the analysis, Desmond Swayne MP, who rents out two properties, said his interests were properly declared and parliamentary debate on the bill was not holding it up.
“There is a proper debate to be had as to whether the extent of the proposals will reduce the availability of rented accommodation and so make greater difficulties for potential tenants,” he told the press. “In a democracy, it is right that these arguments be heard. If supporters of the proposals want their way, they need to win the argument, rather than slinging mud and making false assertions.”
Housing secretary Michael Gove has insisted that Section 21 evictions will be “outlawed” in England by the next general election.
The Conservative party‘s 2019 manifesto pledged to end the right of landlords to evict tenants without needing a reason in 2019.
However, the legislation has been continuously delayed, leading housing campaigners to question the government’s commitment.
But the government has previously said a ban cannot be enacted until the court system is improved – a position supported by the National Residential Landlords Association.
In October last year, MPs started debating the Renters (Reform) Bill, which includes a ban on Section 21 evictions in England, but the legislation has not yet completed its passage through Parliament.
Asked earlier this month if he could guarantee the practice would end by the time of the next general election, which must take place by the end of January 2025, Gove told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme: “We will have outlawed it and we will have put the money into the courts in order to ensure that they can enforce that.”
A spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said: “Our landmark renters (reform) bill will deliver a fairer private rented sector for both tenants and landlords. It will abolish section 21 evictions – giving people more security in their homes and empowering them to challenge poor practices. The bill will return to the House of Commons shortly.”
The landlord Conservative MPs who have backed amendments to the Renters Reform Bill:
Nick Fletcher, MP for Don Valley – 10 properties
Marco Longhi, MP for Dudley North – 10 properties
Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East – 6 properties
Geoffrey Clinton-Brown, MP for The Cotswolds – 5 properties
James Gray, MP for North Wiltshire – 4 properties
Royston Smith, MP for Southampton, Itchen – 3 properties
Craig Mackinlay, MP for South Thanet – 3 properties
Desmond Swayne, MP for New Forest West – 2 properties
Jacob Rees-Mogg, MP for North East Somerset – 2 properties
Anne Marie Morris, MP for Newton Abbot – 2 properties
Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow – 2 properties
Bill Wiggin, MP for North Herefordshire – 1 property
Steve Double, MP for St Austell and Newquay – 1 property
Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet – 1 property
Source: Register of Members’ Financial Interests/Renters’ Reform Coalition
