The London Assembly is urging the government to repeal laws that they say allow landlords to evict tenants for no reason.

Members voting for the measure claim Section 21 no-fault evictions lead to insecurity and stress for private tenants in the capital and can stop them complaining about poor living standards in their homes.

The demand was put forward to London Mayor Sadiq Khan in a motion passed by 12 votes to five.

Sian Berry, the assembly member who proposed the motion said: “The assembly has firmly put its weight behind Generation Rent’s campaign to end Section 21.

“London renters need to feel secure in their homes and know they can’t be thrown out on the streets for no reason. I’ve known far too many friends and colleagues forced to move out of their homes at short notice at times when they would least choose to move.

“Having to move at short notice is one of the worst parts of being a private renter and ending Section 21 would make a dramatic difference and solve this problem – it would also align our policies with other countries.”

The motion was seconded by Tom Copley AM, who argues private rental rules were introduced more than 30 years ago and it’s time for an update.

“Only 1 in 10 Londoners rented from a private landlord when this law started. Now, more than a quarter do, including increasing numbers of families with children,” he said.

“It is unacceptable that landlords can use Section 21 to evict tenants for no reason. Private tenants deserve security to protect them from arbitrary or revenge eviction, the fear of which makes tenants reluctant to come forward to complain about substandard housing.

A Section 21 Notice is defined in Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988. The notice gives a landlord possession (after following the court process) of a private rented home at the end of a tenancy or during a rolling tenancy if the fixed term has ended. No reason for repossession is needed.