Labour’s pledge to introduce more robust possession grounds is factually incorrect and sends the wrong message to rent dodgers, says NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle.

Speaking on LBC News, he told listeners that the government could not say they were giving landlords more robust grounds in the Renters’ Rights Bill, when mandatory rent arrears grounds will see a doubling of notice periods from two to four weeks, and three months of rent arrears, instead of two.

“I’m not sure that meets the test of giving landlords robust grounds – that sounds like giving rent dodgers a free reign and I don’t think that’s on,” said Beadle.

He also highlighted the broken court system as a likely stumbling block for the Bill’s successful implementation. Landlords didn’t have an issue with Section 21 being abolished as long as the alternative reasons allowed them to get possession of their property - but the issue was court reform.

“Why should it take seven months upwards on average under Section 8 to get possession of your property?” asked Beadle.

Anti social

“One of the good things about Section 21 is that you could actually deal with anti-social behaviour very swiftly, it’s mandatory and often doesn’t require a hearing,” he added.

“The court system is broken at the moment – every case that will be judged will require a court hearing. If the court system is already on its knees, how is it going to be when we move to this new regime without any significant investment in the court system?”

With a housing crisis, the reforms need to be very carefully balanced between giving renters greater security and landlords confidence to stay in the market, with amendments necessary on court reform, students and refinements to possession grounds, said Beadle, who pointed to the high numbers of tenants already chasing every property.

He warned: “They’re giving renters rights, but be careful what you wish for…”

Listen to the interview in full (from 29:00 onwards)