Propertymark has warned the new UK Government against the abolition of Section 21 no-fault evictions as without an adequate replacement mechanism, the court system in England and Wales will be overwhelmed. 

The industry body has said not only will this cause lengthy and costly delays for everyone involved, but with the raft of regulatory and financial pressures placed on landlords in recent years, this will only add as a further nail in the coffin.  

Propertymark members have voiced their concerns around landlords already expressing their desires to exit the sector, and Propertymark has said Section 21’s abolition will provide another reason for current landlords to leave the sector, prevent prospective investors from entering and create a further shortage of homes for tenants which will ultimately push rents up even further. 

During the 2024 General Election, Labour campaigned to clampdown on ‘unscrupulous landlords’, and to abolish Section 21. Other pledges included preventing tenants from paying huge upfront rent payments, reducing energy bills, and cutting fuel poverty.  

They also wanted to extend Awaab’s Law to the private rental sector to improve tenant conditions by preventing damp and mould from growing in rental properties.  

The last Conservative government also wanted to ban Section 21 no-fault evictions as part of the Renters Reform Bill, which never became law.