Eviction notice
Landlords, Issue 1626

UNDER pressure from some landlord Tory MPs, in March the government watered down its Renters (Reform) Bill, originally designed to improve renters' rights, by delaying a ban on "no-fault" Section 21 evictions. With the election called at short notice, the legislation has now been shelved (see last Eye).

One backbencher concerned by the plans was Jacob Rees-Mogg. "The bill is a socialist error," Rees-Mogg declared on his GB News show back in February, before pontificating on the merits of allowing no-fault evictions.

Mogg standard
A freedom of information request submitted by the Eye now reveals that earlier in the year, Rees-Mogg lobbied housing secretary Michael Gove over the proposed reforms.

On 5 January, he wrote to Gove thundering that "it is likely... many landlords will leave the profession as a result of this bill", making "life much worse for renters".

He enclosed a note from a constituent "regarding her concerns" about the bill and urging that "serious consideration" be given to addressing her points.

Coincidentally Rees-Mogg is himself a landlord, receiving rental income from a residential property in London as well as from farm buildings and land in Somerset, according to the register of members' interests.

As the Moggster noted at the end of his message to Gove: "Whilst writing this letter I must declare my interest as a landlord." So that's all right then.

More top stories in the latest issue:

PARTING GIFTS
The Conservatives have been busy appointing Tories to unelected posts to act as "stay behinds" under a future Labour government.

FLINT TOOLS UP
Lobbying firms are making a late grab for whatever Labour "talent" they can find in a bid to convince clients they will have access to a Starmer government.

BATTLE OF HUSTINGS
A theme of the election campaign is the main candidates staying safely indoors behind security cordons when they are talking "to the voters".

HOME STRETCH
A Tory candidate pictured himself unlocking a door while saying he is "so happy to live here" – but at the time it was listed as an Airbnb rental.

SEXIST GAG
While critics of Labour candidate Luke Akehurst have seized on his deletion of tweets, misogynistic comments on his blog site have gone unnoticed.

GLU DOESN'T STICK
One question after Labour abandoned its case against five former staff members accused of leaking a report is why the party didn't cut its losses sooner.

SCOTLAND THE GRAVE
The expected loss of seats will hit the SNP not just politically but financially too, with membership falling and money from Westminster drying up.

HOUSING NEWS
If you want more new homes, this seems to be the election for you, with the major parties competing to promise more new homes than their opponents.

BRUSSELS SPROUTS
Despite parties on the right emerging as big winners from the European parliamentary elections, overall, at least, not much will change.