MP for Oxford East, Anneliese Dodds has called out Secretary of State Michael Gove for his decision to delay the end of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions. Ministers put forward amendments to water down elements of the Renters Reform Bill currently being considered by Parliament.

The 2021 Census found that 31.7% of households in Oxford East rent from a private landlord. This is one of the highest proportions in the country.

The 2019 Conservative Party Manifesto contained a commitment to end ‘no fault evictions’, which currently allow landlords to kick out tenants without requiring a reason.

Anneliese Dodds said: “This is another broken promise to renters from the Conservatives. Vital protections private renters have been promised for years have now been watered down. This is a betrayal of trust.”

“Rishi Sunak and Michael Gove are once again putting managing the interests of angry Conservative backbenchers ahead of what is right for the country.”

“I regularly deal with cases of constituents who are forced to leave their homes with little notice. Often these are families with children and sometimes they become homeless as a result.”

“Labour will immediately abolish section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions and deliver the security and rights that renters deserve. When the Renters Reform Bill returns to the Commons, we will try again to significantly strengthen this long overdue piece of legislation.”

In 2022 Oxford City Council became the first local authority outside London to launch a selective licensing scheme, requiring all privately rented homes to be licensed. However the continuation of the Section 21 scheme continues to put renters at risk both in Oxford and across the country.