CAMPAIGNERS have urged the Tories not to ditch the long-awaited Renters Reform Bill, a vital piece of legislation designed to put an end to no-fault evictions.

A group of 30 charities wrote a letter to PM Rishi Sunak today warning that they were “deeply concerned” about the Bill's legislative progress grinding to a halt amid ongoing delays.

The Bill pledges to abolish Section 21 evictions, which housing charity Shelter asserts is a major contributor to rising homelessness in England. 

Under the cruel legislation, landlords are able to evict tenants without justification, providing only two-months’ notice. 

The letter, co-ordinated by Shelter, tells the Prime Minister that: “Any delay to the Bill’s progress causes more avoidable hardship and suffering, and with it, greater cost to the taxpayer.

“Together we are calling on the government to commit to progressing the Renters Reform Bill this Parliament, and to pass it into law as promised in the party’s manifesto.”

The letter, also signed by Child Poverty Action Group, the Trussell Trust and Citizens Advice, shares research based on a poll of more than 1,900 private renters in England that suggests one tenant receives a Section 21 notice every three minutes.

Originally promised by the Tories four years ago, concerns have arisen that this crucial Renters Reform Bill may never come into force.

The delays come amid concerns that the Bill is being stalled due to vested interests in the Tory whips’ office — where five out of 16 members are landlords.  

According to campaign group 38 degrees, nearly one in five Conservative MPs are landlords. Meanwhile five cabinet members claim rent from homes in England, including Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who has seven Southampton apartments.

The Bill was eventually introduced to the Commons in May. However no date has been set for its second reading so its progress can continue.

Speaking at the Tory conference earlier this month, Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary Michael Gove claimed that he was committed to securing a second reading “this autumn.”

However Angela Rayner, the shadow housing secretary and shadow deputy prime minister, said that the Bill was facing delays due to “Tory infighting” and “weak leadership.”

“This shambolic government have utterly failed to explain why four years after pledging to ban no-fault evictions, and months after publishing their proposals, nothing has been done,” she said.