50% rise in homelessness due to no-fault evictions in a year
Posted 10 May 2023
New government figures released today show just how overdue the government's reform of private renting is as homelessness and evictions increase. The figures show:
24,060 households were threatened with homelessness in England as a result of a Section 21 no-fault eviction in 2022 – this is 50% higher than in 2021.
290,330 households faced homelessness in 2022 in England – a rise of 6% compared to the year before.
A Section 21 ‘no-fault’ eviction allows landlords to ask a tenant to leave with just two months’ notice and without having to give any reason for doing so. The government has committed to introducing the long-awaited Renters’ Reform Bill soon, which will scrap these evictions.
Shelter is urging the government to bring forward this vital piece of legislation as soon as possible, making sure it's as strong as possible, with every loophole closed, so that no renter can be unfairly evicted.
Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “For too long struggling private tenants have been trapped in an insecure and unstable private rented sector with the constant worry of being one no-fault eviction notice away from homelessness.
“Every day our frontline services hear from desperate families who are facing the very real prospect of homelessness after an eviction. The cost of living crisis coupled with paying through the nose for insecurity and disrepair in the private rented sector where competition for rentals is fierce means that there are little to no options for tenants who are forced out of their homes.
“Renters have been promised these reforms for four long years, they can’t wait any longer. The government must immediately bring forward the long-promised Renters’ Reform Bill which will scrap Section 21 no-fault evictions for good.”
Anyone who is facing homelessness can get free and expert advice from Shelter by visiting www.shelter.org.uk/get_help. To help Shelter support more people fighting for their home visit: www.shelter.org.uk/donate.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
24,060 households approached their council and were found to be threatened with homelessness due to receiving a valid section 21 notice in 2022. To be classified as ‘threatened with homelessness’ by their council, a household must be at risk of losing their home in the next 56 days (8 weeks). This is 50% higher compared to 2021 (16,030). This is available at: DLUHC, Live tables on homelessness, Statutory Homelessness Live Tables, Table A1. A ban on bailiff's evictions was in place during the early months of 2021. It ended on the 31 May 2021. Landlords could still serve section 21 notices during this time.
290,330 households faced homeless in 2022. This is the number of households who approached their local authority who were found to be homeless or threatened with homelessness in the next 56 days (owed a prevention or relief duty). This is 6% higher than the previous year (2021). These figures are available at DLUHC, Statutory Homelessness Live tables, Table A1.
On 3 May, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, committed to bringing forward the Renters’ Reform Bill the week commencing Monday 8 May 2023.
About Shelter: Shelter exists to defend the right to a safe home and fight the devastating impact the housing emergency has on people and society. Shelter believes that home is everything. Learn more at www.shelter.org.uk.