MICHAEL Gove has defended Tory MP landlords desperately trying to kill off rental reforms.
The Housing Secretary told The Sun last week that landlord backbenchers campaigning to stop a ban on “no fault evictions” often have “very good ideas” and “provide a great service to tenants”.
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Housing campaigners today accused Mr Gove of colluding with backbenchers to water down the Renters’ Reform Bill.
Around 50 Conservatives are trying to weaken the Bill by adding an amendment that would put into law an indefinite delay on outlawing Section 21 notices until ministers assess its impact on the courts.
Another mulled over amendment would allow “hearsay” evidence in eviction claims for antisocial behaviour.
Mr Gove told The Sun he will always “listen to MPs from across the House of Commons” and that he knows landlords who are “thoughtful and serious people”.
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He said: “The overwhelming majority of landlords do a great job. They they want to have a relationship with their tenant that goes beyond just cash.
“They wants to make sure that they’re providing a service that the tenant appreciates.
“So, of course I listen to landlords.
“We just want to make sure that this Bill works for them as well because you need a healthy private rented sector.”
The Housing Secretary added that he is entirely committed to ensuring no-fault evictions are banned before the next general election.
Furious campaigners today warned Mr Gove against putting the interests of Tory landlords above struggling tennants.
Tom Darling, campaign manager at the Renters’ Reform Coalition, said: “It is scandalous and farcical that the government are now outsourcing the writing of the Renters (Reform) Bill to their landlord backbenchers.
“It reeks of desperation.”
Labour’s Shadow Housing Secretary, Angela Rayner, said: “Rishi Sunak must give cast-iron public assurances that he won’t give-in to vested interests on his backbenches and rip up his promises to renters.
“This ban was promised five years ago, but renters are still being failed by this government. As always with this Prime Minister, it’s party first, country second.
“Labour will ban no fault evictions, deliver a fair deal for renters, and take action to boost homeownership for working people – no ifs no buts.”
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