Croydon Council backed a national campaign to end no-fault private evictions and reintroduced lifetime social tenancies in its own housing stock at a meeting last night (Monday).
At its Full Council, Croydon become the first local authority to publicly back the #EndUnfairEvictions campaign, joining Generation Rent, the London Renters’ Union, ACORN and the New Economics Foundation calling for an end to Section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act, which allows private landlords to evict their tenants without a reason.
The council also announced at the meeting that it was removing fixed-term social tenancies that are reviewed every five years, which had been introduced before the current administration came to power in 2014. From today, anyone who signs a new contract with the council will have an open-ended assured contract without a time limit as long as they meet the usual tenancy conditions.
To ensure that the council homes continue to meet tenants’ needs, Croydon will continue to offer incentive schemes so residents who no longer need larger homes can downsize elsewhere and free the property up for others.
“Private and social tenants need to know they won’t face sudden eviction; having greater certainty about where they will live means they’re more likely to lead happier lives and be part of their local community.
“By reintroducing lifetime social tenancies for thousands of local people and backing a campaign for Government to end no-fault private evictions, Croydon Council is underlining its commitment to protecting renters.”
Councillor Alison Butler, deputy leader and cabinet member for homes and Gateway services
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