Whitehall insiders have claimed the Conservative manifesto promise to end “no fault evictions” is on track to fail because Michael Gove is being held “ransom” by angry Tory MPs.
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Last month the Housing Secretary vowed to pass the flagship Renters’ Reform Bill before a general election this year.
But distraught officials have accused a backbench Tories, including some landlords, of refusing to compromise on the legislation.
Sources say that the charge against the Bill is being led by Totnes MP Anthony Mangnall.
A Whitehall source said: “The Renters Reform Bill looks like it may now collapse and the Tories risk breaking their manifesto commitment to end no fault evictions.
“Officials are at a total loss given both pro-landlord groups like the National Residential Landlords Association and pro-renters groups like the Renters Reform Coalition want this bill passed ASAP.
“It seems a small group of landlord MPs, led by Anthony Mangnall, are holding the bill to ransom.”
Mr Mangnall, who isn’t himself a landlord, insisted he supports abolishing no-fault evictions.
But he claimed a large number of Tories are furious about the Bill banning fixed-term rental tenancies and replacing them with periodic tenancies that don’t have an end date.
Ministers and backbench rebels have reached a stalemate and insiders fear time will run out to bring the Bill to the Commons – meaning it will fail.
Mr Mangnall said: “I want to amend the Bill not to kill it.
“It’s my role as a legislator to ensure we pass sensible legislation. We’ve had constructive meetings with Michael Gove.
“This is about trying to find the right balance.”
Tom Darling, Campaign Manager at the Renters Reform Coalition, said: “Another delay to this legislation caused by an ungovernable rump of Conservative MPs – many of whom are landlords.
“It’s becoming clear they are intent on tanking their own manifesto commitment to end no-fault evictions at the eleventh hour.
“The truth is the Renters (Reform) Bill is the bare minimum renters need – we won’t support a grubby deal between the Government and landlord backbenchers that is little better than the miserable status quo.”