MPs yesterday voted to pass the government’s Renters (Reform) Bill, but it included a clause that means tenants will have to continue to wait for a ban on ‘no-fault’ Section 21 evictions.

Though campaigners have been urging ministers to include a firm end date for Section 21s in the bill, the government has said that a review of the courts system is required before a ban can be put in place.

Section 21 notices give landlords the power to evict tenants without providing a reason and have been strongly criticised by charities and campaigners.

Though the government has said a review of the courts must take place before a ban, there is nothing in the new bill to suggest when that may happen.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities of the United Kingdom, Michael Gove, the architect of the new bill, has repeatedly promised to end Section 21s.

Asked before yesterday’s vote if he would keep his promise, Gove said: “Everything depends on the House of Lords. My determination is to ensure that we get this bill on the statute book. But it’s up to the Lords to decide the rate of progress that we can make.

“If opposition parties are supportive – and I believe that while they have some quibbles, they are supportive of the essential principle that we’re bringing forward – then we can have Section 21 ended before the general election. That’s the aim.”

Defending the delay on a ban, levelling up minister Jacob Young said: “It is far better for tenants and landlords alike if we make sure this change happens in an orderly way.”

Labour’s shadow housing minister, Matthew Pennycook, slammed the  government’s stance, claiming: “Instead of ministers having the courage to face down their unruly backbenchers, this weak and divided Conservative government is appeasing them at the expense of private renters who will see the rights and protections they were promised watered down.”

The CEO of housing charity Shelter, Polly Neate, said: “For every day the government has spent weakening the Renters (Reform) Bill, at least 500 renters were slapped with a no-fault eviction notice. With the spectre of homelessness never far away, renters will remain powerless to challenge dangerous conditions and unfair rent hikes.”