Briefing: Disrepair and insecurity in the private rented sector

The private rented sector is broken and in urgent need of reform. The existence of section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions mean that renters can be turfed out of their home with just eight weeks’ notice, without a requirement for landlords to provide a reason for the eviction.

Private renters will often put up with disrepair and dangerous conditions because they fear they will be evicted for raising complaints. This fear is not unfounded. New research from Shelter and YouGov found that private renters who complained to their landlord, letting agent or local council in the last three years were twoand a half times more likely to be handed an eviction notice than those who had not complained.

It has been four years since the government first promised to abolish unfair section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions. Private renters have been waiting too long for reform. The government must bring forward the long-awaited Renters’ Reform Bill as a matter of urgency and end unfair evictions for good.