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Concerns Grow Over Potential Evictions Ahead of New Rental Legislation
A campaign group has issued a warning that thousands of tenants may face evictions before the anticipated implementation of new laws aimed at banning no-fault evictions.
The forthcoming legislation is designed to enhance tenant rights, enabling them to contest unjust rent hikes, compelling landlords to make necessary repairs to properties, and abolishing section 21 orders, which permit landlords to evict tenants without just cause.
However, the Renters Reform Coalition (RRC), which includes a network of 21 organizations advocating for private renters, anticipates that landlords may exploit the existing section 21 orders extensively prior to the bill’s enactment. This situation raises alarms regarding potential mass evictions.
The coalition forecasts that based on existing patterns, upwards of 15,600 rental households could face eviction through bailiffs within the first half of 2025, marking a significant 12.2% increase compared to the previous year.
The ban on no-fault evictions is set to take effect immediately once the legislation is passed (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Wire)
The bill is scheduled to revisit the House of Commons for final consideration after having successfully completed its initial readings and subsequent parliamentary scrutiny last year. Following this, it will proceed to the House of Lords for additional review.
Lucy Tiller, the RRC’s policy manager, expressed skepticism regarding the timely implementation of the legislation, noting that the rate of no-fault evictions has reached an eight-year high.
“The current spike in evictions can partly be attributed to a rebound from a significant downturn during the pandemic,” Tiller commented, as reported by Metro. “However, we are witnessing an unprecedented number of Section 21 evictions at this time.”
She emphasized the alarming statistics, stating that since the government’s commitment in 2019 to end Section 21 evictions, over 100,000 households have faced threats of homelessness, and about 1 million have been issued Section 21 notices.
Utilizing Ministry of Justice data, the coalition estimates approximately 15,637 “landlord repossession actions” will occur in the initial half of this year, reflecting the upward trend observed from 2023 to 2024. This number encompasses private rentals, council properties, and housing association homes.
Tom Darling, RRC director, previously warned of an impending “wave of evictions” preceding the enforcement of the Section 21 ban.
In light of these developments, campaigners remain optimistic about certain reforms that may alleviate financial pressures on prospective tenants, particularly regarding upfront costs.
A proposed amendment will ensure that landlords cannot demand more than a month’s rent in advance from new tenants, a practice that housing charity Shelter highlights as discriminatory.
Polly Neate, Shelter’s chief executive, urged the government to broaden its efforts, asserting: “With benefit recipients facing almost double the likelihood of being denied rental opportunities due to upfront payment demands, it is crucial for the government to address this discriminatory issue through the Renters’ Rights Bill.”
Neate further pointed out that renters encounter multiple financial burdens: “Many tenants find themselves forced to relocate when landlords escalate rents to unsustainable levels—last year alone, 900 renters moved daily due to unaffordable rent hikes.”
To provide genuine stability and affordability in the rental market, Neate encouraged the bill to impose limits on rent increases during tenancy periods, linking them either to inflation rates or wage growth. She also called for the elimination of other discriminatory practices, like unnecessary guarantor demands, which contribute to homelessness by excluding many from the renting market.
In response to ongoing concerns, a spokesperson for the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government stated: “Our Renters’ Rights Bill will fulfill our commitment to reform the private renting sector, ensuring that individuals can establish their homes and save for the future without the constant threat of arbitrary eviction—this includes plans to abolish ‘no fault’ evictions simultaneously for both current and new tenants.”
“Through our Plan for Change, we are dedicated to addressing the broader housing crisis we have inherited, focusing on building the homes necessary to provide a significant boost in social and affordable housing in a generation.”
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