A letting agency director with 25 years’ experience has called for the reinstatement of Section 21 eviction notices ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force.
Nicola Blake, operations director at Cavendish Properties, which operates across Chester and North Wales, began her career as an office junior at age 17 and was promoted to director in 2022. She now oversees operations across the firm’s three offices in Chester, Mold and Ruthin.
Section 21 concerns
Blake, who has worked exclusively in the lettings sector, said legislative changes have been the most significant shifts during her career. However, she expressed concerns about the abolition of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions under the new Renters’ Rights Act, which takes effect in less than two weeks.
“If I could change only one thing, it would be to not abolish Section 21 and bring it back,” Blake said. She noted that her agency has historically avoided using Section 8 evictions, relying instead on Section 21 to regain possession for landlords quickly.
The concerns reflect broader industry worries about possession proceedings and tenant evictions following the legislative changes. Court backlogs already mean eviction processes can take several months, with industry professionals anticipating further delays once Section 21 notices are removed.
Career progression
Blake became one of the first agents in the UK to achieve the Level 4 certificate in property agency management from Propertymark. Her roles at Cavendish have included lettings negotiator and tenancy manager before progressing to operations manager in 2022.
The trajectory mirrors trends among independent estate and letting agencies, where long-term staff retention and internal promotion remain features of the sector.
Cavendish Properties was established in 1993 and now employs over 30 staff across its three offices. The firm facilitates approximately 600 home sales annually and manages around 650 rental properties.
Market implications
The call to retain Section 21 comes as the private rental sector faces significant regulatory change. David Adams, managing director of Cavendish, confirmed Blake’s 25-year milestone with the company.
The Renters’ Rights Act represents one of the most substantial changes to landlord-tenant law in recent years, with the removal of Section 21 notices being a central component. Industry bodies have raised concerns about how the changes will affect possession timelines, particularly given existing court capacity issues.
Blake’s comments reflect ongoing debate within the lettings industry about balancing tenant protections with landlord rights to regain possession of their properties.
