The government may be keen on scrapping Section 21 powers for private landlords but it’s getting much tougher on social housing renters.

Eviction measures could include a “three strikes and you’re out” as well as controversial “British homes for British workers”. 

Housing minister Lee Rowley says: “If you abuse the system, making peoples’ lives a misery or actively work against our British values, you are making a choice – such choices will have consequences and our proposals seek to stop such people getting a social home. The message is clear: play by the rules, pay in and we will support you. If you choose not to, this country is not going to be a soft touch.”

The proposed reforms include new UK and local connection tests to determine social housing eligibility, with applicants required to demonstrate a connection to the UK for at least 10 years and their local area for at least two years. 

Ninety percent of the lead tenants in social housing are British, according to Government figures. However, in the London borough of Brent, 40 per cent of new social homes were let to foreign nationals in 2021-22.

Prospective tenants on higher incomes could also no longer qualify for social housing, although existing tenants will not be affected.

As part of the reforms, people who have unspent convictions for certain criminal anti-social behaviour or have been subject to certain civil sanctions could be disqualified from social housing for up to five years.

This sits alongside measures which could disqualify terrorist offenders from benefiting from social housing.

The consultation will run until March 26 and can be accessed via an online survey.