- iHowz consistently engaged with government and Parliament on the Renters’ Rights Bill and subsequent Renters’ Rights Act, submitting evidence and briefing MPs and peers on the likely impact on landlords and tenants.
- The central campaign line opposed a simple abolition of Section 21 “no‑fault” evictions without court and possession‑ground reforms, warning of unintended consequences such as reduced supply and landlord exit.
- Instead of outright abolition, iHowz argued for reform of Section 21 and strengthening of Section 8, including ideas like longer notice periods and more structured, compassionate processes for vulnerable tenants.
- As the Renters’ Rights Act moved forward with full abolition of Section 21 and a new single tenancy structure, iHowz shifted to influencing implementation: calling for a transition period, clearer possession routes, and extensive guidance and education for landlords.
- iHowz have also encouraged members to contact MPs, provided template arguments, and hosted parliamentary briefings in the Houses of Parliament to keep landlords’ concerns visible during the legislative stages.
Focus areas within this campaign
- Ensuring court reform and workable possession grounds before or alongside Section 21 abolition, not after.
- Avoiding an unplanned “cliff‑edge” on the Act’s commencement, arguing for phased or at least well‑signposted transition.
- Pressing for a more balanced “Tenant–Landlord Partnership” approach rather than a one‑sided renters’ agenda.
- What alternatives to Section 21 abolition did iHowz propose
iHowz proposed reforming and humanising Section 21 and Section 8 instead of abolishing Section 21 outright.
Core alternative: keep Section 21 but change how it works
iHowz’s main alternative was to amend Section 21 rather than remove it. The key elements were:
- Introduce a “sliding scale” notice period: longer notice for longer‑standing tenants, instead of a flat two‑month notice for everyone.
- Add a recompense scheme for tenants: for example, in their illustration, a five‑month notice period with the last two months rent‑free to give vulnerable tenants time and financial headroom to move.
- Keep Section 21 available as a no‑fault route, but make it more compassionate and predictable for tenants while still usable by landlords.
Linked reforms to Section 8 and possession
Alongside retaining and softening Section 21, iHowz also proposed strengthening and modernising Section 8.
- Add or clarify grounds under Section 8 for situations like sale of the property or a family member needing to move in, so landlords can recover possession for genuine reasons without needing a pure “no‑fault” route.
- Streamline uncontested serious rent‑arrears cases so that where arrears exceed two months, courts can grant possession administratively (similar to the current practical role of Section 21) rather than full hearings in every case.
- Reinstate or clarify an abandonment process, giving a clear legal route where tenants have obviously left, instead of relying on Section 21 as a workaround.
In summary, the alternative was: keep Section 21 but lengthen and tailor notice and compensation; at the same time overhaul Section 8 and related processes so there are clear, efficient fault‑based routes where needed.
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