Shadow Housing Secretary Sir James Cleverly has disclosed that he has been served with an eviction notice from his landlord, who is selling the property he rents. The Conservative MP attributed the sale to the incoming Renters’ Rights Act, legislation he has previously criticised.
Cleverly announced the eviction at the recent London Housing Summit, telling attendees: “I have just personally received a notice from my landlord, who is selling the house that I rent.”
Speaking to Inside Housing magazine, he added: “That experience is replicated thousands of times across the country as a tenure type. The private rented sector is basically being regulated out of existence by this government.”
Market implications
The Shadow Housing Secretary has been a vocal critic of the Renters’ Rights Act, describing it as the “wrong direction of travel” and warning it could trigger a landlord exodus, reduced supply and higher rents. The legislation, which was initially proposed by Conservative Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove, has faced scrutiny from industry professionals concerned about its impact on rental housing stock across the UK.
Cleverly told The Negotiator: “This was an entirely predictable outcome, and indeed we predicted it during the passage of this Bill. But this arrogant Labour Government didn’t listen to the warnings from us or the sector.”
It is not clear whether the property is located in his Braintree, Essex constituency or in London.
Industry response
James Benson of Prime Portfolio, a firm specialising in Westminster and Victoria properties that has housed numerous MPs, commented: “It seems not even our politicians are immune to the effects of the Renters’ Rights Act.”
Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, provided context on the broader market factors at play. “The Renters’ Rights Act will bring profound change for those who rent across England, with the new legislation due to be introduced in three distinct phases,” he said.
“The first phase, due to take effect on 1st May, includes major changes which landlords must adhere to, including the abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions. However, it’s important to recognise that decisions within the rental market are rarely driven by a single factor.”
Emerson noted that landlords are weighing a range of considerations beyond the reforms, including taxation changes, rising interest rates, ongoing regulatory requirements, and wider economic pressures.
The Renters’ Rights Act represents one of several regulatory changes affecting the UK rental market, as affordability pressures continue to mount across the housing sector. The legislation’s implementation in phases is intended to give landlords and tenants time to adjust to the new framework.
