Campaigners from a coalition of private tenants groups under the name of London Renters, recently invaded the lobby of the DCLG (Department of Communities and Local Government) protesting against the lack of security of tenancy and the easy process for evictions.

They occupied the lobby of the government department to “highlight how being evicted by a private landlord has become the leading cause of homelessness”.
 
The actions followed the news that the DCLG were holding workshops to find out ways how the process for landlords to evict tenants could become more "user friendly". They demanded that the government re-thinks their plans and to put a stop to "no-fault" evictions under section 21 notices.

Claims by some of the members that they had been evicted in retribution for requesting repairs to be carried out to their homes and even for joining tenants' campaigning groups. A report by a leading homeless charity claimed that one in thirty three private renters had been evicted because of asking for repairs or maintenance issues to be resolved.

The "research" also stated that one in eight private tenants were so scared of being evicted that they did not bother to ask for repairs to be carried out.

One of the protestors Emma Bradshaw said: “It is already easier to evict a tenant in the UK than it is in any other European country and it is disgraceful that the government are thinking about making it even easier.

"Landlords ending private tenancies are now the main cause of homelessness and the number of evictions has been soaring since 2010. Instead of making it easier for landlords to evict tenants, we need secure tenancies to reduce homelessness and allow people to build lives in their communities without fear.”

Raymond Ambler from London Renters said: “While we would welcome restrictions on the ability of landlords to issue section 21 possession notices where a property is in disrepair or needs improvements, we consider that alone this is not adequate to address the wider problem of insecurity of tenure in the private rented sector.

“For example, tenants also fear evictions for joining or being seen to be involved in private tenants groups or other housing campaigns, questioning rent increases or asking permission to make changes to their home or living arrangements like hanging pictures or keeping a pet.

 

"We consider that section 21 should be removed entirely, and private tenants should have the same rights and security as social tenants with secure tenancies.

“In the case of preventing retaliatory eviction in response to a tenant’s request for repairs, we consider that the restriction on the use of section 21 possession notices should cover any complaint about property conditions, not just where serious disrepair or the need for major improvements is found.”

PIMS Richard Merrick says: "We have already seen that figures can be manipulated and distorted by those organisations who are trying to create ill will towards landlords.

 

"It is unfair that private landlords are being tarnished as the root cause of the "homelessness" housing problem, what about those tenants that do not pay their rent or wreck the property?"

 

One could argue "as it appears on the surface" this is nonsense

 

Regulation of the Private Rented Sector Bill 2013-14
On 15 October 2013 Jeremy Corbyn reintroduced his Ten-Minute Rule Bill which failed to make progress in the 2012-13 parliamentary session.69 The Bill is scheduled for Second Reading on 28 February 2014.