Not known to mince his words, the former Leader of the House, Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg has criticised his colleague Michael Gove's Renters (Reform) Bill as a 'socialist error'.
Mr Rees-Mogg was speaking on his GB News show when he made the comments - just days before the BBC revealed that the government looks set to water down some of the Bill's most controversial aspects.
He stressed that property rights are at the heart of our constitution and are one of the four great pillars, along with freedom of speech, the rule of law and democracy.
He went on to say that governments love to regulate because they can, and they are intent on replacing freedom with central control.
'The bill is a socialist error'
Mr Rees-Mogg added: "And this is at the heart of the problems posed by the Renters (Reform) Bill, sponsored by the housing secretary, Michael Gove. The bill is a socialist error.
"Bizarrely, it seems to abolish fixed-term tenancies between tenants and landlords, something that both sides often want. And it also seeks to remove Section 21 evictions."
He added: "Now these inevitably have a bad press and conjure up landlords getting rid of good tenants. But that's not the reality of them. Well, Section 21 does.
"It reassures landlords that they will be able to get their properties back, and this guarantee increases supply and all the sensible landlords, and most are sensible, want to keep good tenants."
Section 21 'no-fault' evictions work both ways
Mr Rees-Mogg also went some way to explain that Section 21 'no-fault' evictions work both ways.
He explained: "It removes a stigma that may attach not necessarily to bad tenants, but against ones who've had complaints against them. And in this way, everybody gains.
"If you doubt this, look at the boom in the private rental sector, which began with Section 21 coming in and it helps mobility of labour and what does mobility of labour do? It increases economic opportunity and activity. It makes the labour market more flexible. But this bill isn't the only problem."
Landlords wanting to let a property in a tourist hotspot
He also had some views for the potential introduction of planning permission for landlords wanting to let a property in a tourist hotspot.
Mr Rees-Mogg said: "Under Michael Gove's plans, councils are set to be granted new powers to force second homeowners to apply for planning permission before letting properties to tourists in popular areas.
"Part of the plan includes a mandatory National Register intended to keep track of short term lets, but what right does the Government have to do this?
"It's your property, why shouldn't you let it out for a few weeks? Any serious Conservative government's impulse would oppose the socialist move."
'Renters and landlords interests converge'
Mr Rees-Mogg ended his monologue by saying: "In truth, renters and landlords’ interests converge. If costs are lower for landlords, costs will be lower for renters, and we make renting more difficult for landlords.
"That imposes costs onto renters and supply falls and prices rise.
"Indeed, with rent being expensive in certain parts of the country and having gone up, what we ought to do is make it easier for people to let properties to boost supply and bring prices down."
He added: "These are arguments that I'd normally expect to have with the Labour Party, with the socialists. Instead, I seem to be having them."
Government is planning to water down various proposals
However, a few days after his broadcast, the BBC revealed that the government is planning to water down various proposals to help the Bill pass into law.
More than 50 MPs have been lobbying over Section 21 and evicting tenants for antisocial behaviour.
It now looks like an eviction for antisocial behaviour could happen with 'hearsay evidence'.
And there might be a rule for tenants stay in a rented property for four months before they can terminate the tenancy.
There's also an undertaking that court reform will take place before Section 21 is abolished.
Commenting on the BBC news report, Ben Beadle, the chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), said: "If the Government is considering amendments that would provide for assurances to landlords with a six-month minimum term and ensure confidence for all in the court process, then that balance would be struck.
"We now need to see these amendments published in full so that all parties can judge for themselves what is on the table and move on with debating the Bill in public."
'What this Bill do to the private rented sector'
Simon Thompson, the managing director of Accommodation for Students, said: "The comments by Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg should be welcomed and show there are MPs who understand what this Bill could do to the private rented sector.
"It should be noted too that the Conservative MPs who have been pushing for alterations should be commended.
"The Bill needs to work for tenants AND landlords to deliver what the government is hoping to achieve."
He added: "And news that the Bill will be re-considered so the controversial aspects for landlords can be taken into account is a relief."
