On Thursday 30th October, the Renters’ Reform Coalition hosted sector experts, renters, and politicians in Parliament to celebrate the passing of the Renters’ Rights Bill into law.
Housing campaigners have been pushing for an end to section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions for a decade, and although the Government are yet to announce a date for the commencement of the ban, it has now been enshrined in law. Soon, no private renter can be kicked out of their home for no good reason. It’s a huge overhaul of the private rented sector – one which resets the balance of rights between landlords and tenants – and it was fantastic to have a chance to mark this change with colleagues from across the sector.
Our host for the day and Chair of the Housing Committee, Florence Eshalomi MP, spoke first on the importance of safe and secure housing for all renters, citing emails she has received from her constituents telling her about no-fault evictions, poor-quality housing, and bidding wars – all of which are addressed in this Act. She went on to thank campaigners in the room, saying, “because of the work all of you have been doing day in and day out, we're seeing tenants having a seat at the table and a voice when we're making policy.”
Next, Kate Markey, CEO of Nationwide Foundation who were the founding funder of the RRC, spoke about the years of advocacy work it’s taken to get to this point and the importance of funding coalitions as well as grassroots and advocacy organisations.
We were especially grateful to our supporters who spoke about why they personally will benefit from the landmark changes brought in by the Renters’ Rights Act. Kerrie’s speech, a renter whose experience of a mouldy home and a highly negligent landlord, eventually leading to homelessness, touched us all. In the end, she said, “the landlord got away with it, with no consequences. They likely went on to do the same thing to the next person who lived in that flat, and the next, and the next. The massive imbalance of power favouring landlords and their profits over renter’s homes and lives allowed that to happen, and it is amazing to see that imbalance finally being addressed by the government.”
Similarly, Jen and her family battled with a landlord who ignored requests for repairs, leading to Jen sustaining injuries. Her loss of mobility and loss of income were met with a revenge Section 21 eviction, a story we’ve unfortunately heard from many renters over the years. Kerrie and Jen reminded us exactly what’s at stake when we advocate for renters’ rights, and why the Act is so important. We’re so grateful for Kerrie, Jen and so many like them who have been willing to talk publicly about some of their worst experiences in the hopes that others don’t have to endure the same.
Lastly, Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP, the Secretary of State for Housing, thanked Jen and Kerrie for their words and housing campaigners for their years of hard work. He spoke about his experience as a renter, moving every year for 15 years, and how important a sense of security and belonging in your home doesn’t just benefit the individual, but the community as a whole. He said, “11,500 people evicted under section 21 in the last year alone. People deserve better than not knowing from month to month whether they're going to have a place to live to house themselves and their family, and by changing the law in this way we can give them that security for the future.”
The strength of the coalition is in its people. So thank you again to everyone who came, spoke, and raised a glass with us!
