Liz Truss has been accused of a "total betrayal" of renters after it emerged her government may shelve a Tory commitment to ban no-fault evictions.
The vow to abolish the practice, which allows landlords to evict tenants without reason, was first made by Theresa May four years ago and also included in Boris Johnson's general election manifesto in 2019.
Homelessness charities have previously warned no-fault evictions - also known as section 21 notices - have caused "misery" for thousands.
Just five months ago the former Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove also included the proposal to abolish the practice in a landmark Renters' Reform Bill.
But a source in Ms Truss's government told The Times the legislation was not a priority and would be delayed while another suggested there was a desire to scrap the manifesto commitment entirely.
Asked whether the PM thought it was right to scrap no-fault evictions, her official spokesman said on Tuesday: "No decisions have been made.
"This is something the Secretary of State is considering in terms of how to improve the rental market.
"Clearly, ensuring a fair deal for renters will always remain a priority for this Government."
The homelessness charity Shelter, which has long campaigned for no-fault evictions to be abolished, however, said: "There's no doubt about it, this represents a total betrayal of England's 11 million private renters".
Labour's Shadow Levelling Up Secretary Lisa Nandy, who has also been calling for emergency action to stop no-fault evictions, said: "The Tories promised to stop this at the last election. Now this. You cannot trust a single word they say".
Director of Generation Rent Alicia Kennedy said she was "totally flabbergasted" by the report, adding: "If this is true it is shameful".
She later said the current law has "no place in modern society and getting rid of it has been government policy for more than three years".
"It is one of the most popular items on the government's agenda and there's barely anything left to do but publish the Bill and pass it. The government will be shooting itself in the foot if it ditches the reforms at this point," she added.
According to The Times, ministers have also drawn up plans to exempt developers from having to build affordable homes by increasing the threshold at which the properties must be built - prompting further anger.
Ms Nandy added: "The Tories crashed the economy. It led to soaring mortgage rates, rents, energy bills and food prices. Their answer is now less affordable housing. It beggars belief."
A government spokesman said: "The government is committed to exploring policies that build the homes people need, deliver new jobs, support economic development and boost local economies".
