If it comes to power, Labour will scrap Section 21, give local authorities in cities the power to introduce rent controls, and back ‘renters unions’ to the tune of £20m – a move which critics are describing as buying the votes of Generation Rent.
Shadow housing minister John Healey unveiled the proposals at the Labour party conference.
The so-called ‘no fault’ ground, Section 21, which enables a landlord to claim possession of their property, has been part of the Housing Act since 1988.
Its scrapping would follow the example already enacted in Scotland.
While landlord bodies widely credit the introduction of Section 21 as making the private rented sector attractive to investors, other organisations say it is the biggest single cause of homelessness.