Over 20,000 families kicked out of homes since Tories pledged to ban evictions

10 August 2023 , 16:37

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Section 21 evictions are a major contributing factor to rising homelessness because it allows landlords to evict tenants with only two months’ notice (Image: Getty Images)

More than 20,000 families have been kicked out of their homes since the Tories promised to ban no-fault evictions. Official figures published today reveal 21,332 households have been forced out of their homes by bailiffs since 2019.

The Conservative party pledged to scrap Section 21 evictions in its manifesto. But the number of households being kicked out of their homes because of no-fault evictions increased by 41% in the last year in England. Between April and June 2023, 2,228 households were forced out due to the evictions, up from 1,578 households since the same quarter last year.

Private landlords started 7,491 court claims to evict their tenants under Section 21 this quarter, up 35% in a year, putting thousands more renters at risk of homelessness. The tool is a major contributing factor to rising homelessness because it allows landlords to evict tenants with only two months’ notice without giving a reason. The government finally published its Renters (Reform) Bill in May which would allow no-fault evictions to be banned but it has failed to progress through Parliament.

Shadow Housing Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “Today’s figures are a shocking illustration of how the housing crisis is growing ever deeper. It’s almost four-and-a-half years since the government pledged to scrap Section 21 evictions, and yet because they have failed to deliver on their promise, 171 innocent families are still being kicked out of their home every week despite doing nothing wrong.

“In government, Labour will abolish ‘no fault’ evictions as part of our Renters’ Charter, which will make renting fairer, more secure and more affordable. We will build more homes, including social homes, and support families onto the housing ladder with a comprehensive mortgage insurance scheme.”

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Polly Neate, chief executive of homelessness charity Shelter, said: “With private rents reaching record highs and no-fault evictions continuing to rise, hundreds of families risk being thrown into homelessness every day. Landlords can too easily use and abuse the current system. Some will hike up the rent and if their tenants can’t pay, they will slap them with a no-fault eviction notice and find others who can. We speak to renters all the time who feel like they have zero control over their own lives because the threat of eviction is constantly hanging over them.”

She urged the Government to scrap no-fault evictions “the moment Parliament resumes”. “The Renters Reform Bill will make renting more secure, and for those who live in fear of the bailiffs knocking at their door, these changes can’t come soon enough,” she added.

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Sophie Huskisson