No-fault evictions by bailiffs up 23% in a year

New government data released today shows 2,830 households in England were removed from their homes by bailiffs as a result of a Section 21 no-fault eviction between July and September – up 23% in a year. 

The figures from the Ministry of Justice also show 8,425 landlords in England started Section 21 no-fault eviction proceedings against their tenants during the same period, the highest number in eight years.  

No fault evictions are a major reason for households being threatened with homelessness as they allow landlords to evict tenants with just two months' notice, with no reason given. Earlier this year, the government promised to finally scrap no fault evictions as part of its new Renters’ Rights Bill.   The Bill has the potential to transform private renting, but Shelter warns that unfair evictions will continue unless action is taken to limit huge jumps in rent. Research by the charity shows that 60,000 renters have been forced out of their homes by a rent hike they couldn’t afford in the past year. 

Ahead of the Renter’s Rights Bill upcoming third reading in Parliament, Shelter is urging the government to strengthen the Bill further to ensure it gives renters iron-clad protection from unfair evictions. The Bill must implement lasting change by limiting rent hikes in line with inflation or wage growth, and protecting tenants from eviction for an initial period of two years after they move in. 
 
Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: "With renters being marched out of their homes in their thousands, passing the Renter’s Rights Bill and closing the book on the gross injustice of no fault evictions can’t come soon enough 

"The Bill represents a welcome new chapter for tenants. But, with landlords allowed to hike up rents on a whim as a way of pricing current tenants out of their homes, renters will continue to live in fear even after Section 21 is scrapped.  

 “If the government wants the Renter’s Rights Bill to be truly transformative, it must go further. Rent increases during tenancies must be capped in line with inflation or wage growth to make renting safer, secure, and more affordable.”