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TODAY'S OTHER NEWS

Tonight's BBC Panorama to investigate controversial Section 21 evictions

Tonight's edition of BBC Panorama will investigate the Section 21 evictions process, also known as 'no-fault evictions'.

The show - 'Evicted for No Reason' - will focus on whether tenants need more protection from the evictions process.

A Section 21 Notice allows landlords to regain possession of their property at the end of a fixed term or during a periodic tenancy.

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It is estimated that the number of Section 21 evictions has trebled in the last eight years. 

The investigation is led by journalist Richard Bilton, who meets tenants who have been evicted via Section 21, as well as landlords who feel 'no fault' evictions are their only option to regain possession of their property.

Landlord eviction specialist Paul Shamplina, founder of Landlord Action, was interviewed by Panorama as part of the show's investigation.

"I felt a necessity to present the landlords’ side on why so many use no-fault Section 21," he says.

"The term ‘no fault’ is really a bit of a red herring. There is always a reason why a landlord ends a tenancy, but it’s a far cry from the headlines showing that landlords use it just to throw tenants out."

"If a landlord has a good tenant, the last thing they want to do is get rid of them," Shamplina explains.

"However, in our experience, the main reasons for serving Section 21 notices are for rent arrears, tenants requesting to be evicted so they can be re-housed or, most recently, because landlords wish to sell their property owing to impending tax liabilities.”

Recently introduced changes to the tenancy system in Scotland have outlawed the practice of Section 21 evictions north of the border and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has pledged to ban no-fault evictions in the Labour Party's next manifesto.

Shamplina says, however, that scrapping Section 21 in England would exacerbate the housing crisis.

Panorama airs tonight on BBC One at 20:30.

Poll: Should Section 21 evictions be scrapped?

PLACE YOUR VOTE BELOW

  • James B

    Well explained by Paul. No doubt the programme will be another typical piece of one sided landlord bashing.
    a bit of fair and balanced reporting would be a welcome change !

    Frank Browne

    And of course they didn't air Paul's comments! Surprise surprise.

     
    James B

    As expected from the BBC, the governments propaganda broadcasters ! No interest in producing a fair two sided story, instead find a landlord that can present the sector in the way they need.

     
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    What else would you expect from the BBC

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    section 21 is the only way of remove bad tenants, also councils advices tenants on benefits no to move unless evicted or they will class them as making them selfs homeless and not re-house them, no landlord will evict a good tenant, What do you do when a tenant dosent pay rent? you have to evict.
    if you issue section 8 to tenant becouse of rent arrears they put in a defence and get tied in court for a long time.

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    No landlord wants to evict good tenants who pay their rent and look after the property.
    Unless of course, the Landlord wants to sell the property.
    The law is unfair towards Landlords the playing field is not a level one, this must change.
    The councils must NOT tell tenants to stay put ,this makes it very expensive for Landlords and the costs should be paid by the councils who practice this evil system.
    Landlords own the property and can let to who they like and on terms agreed ,no government should tell us to allow pets or tell us when we can evict or otherwise.
    I am for one, sick of being told what to do with MY property.As long as I break no laws,what the hell is the problem.? I am building up to selling out and let the councils house my tenants(which of course they cannot!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Suzy OShea

    This maladministration of May's has proved itself worthless on so many issues. now they just want tenants to carry on robbing landlords blind and make it even more difficult to get rid of them!

    Disgraceful!

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