The number of people made homeless or threatened with homelessness by Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions has increased, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) statistics have revealed.
Section 21 is to be abolished following the passage of the Renters’ Rights Bill, which is currently facing opposition from Conservative and pro-landlord peers in the House of Lords.
The statistics released today by MHCLG show that while the number of households threatened with homelessness overall has reduced slightly (1.3%) on the same period last year, 6,800 households were faced with homelessness due to a Section 21 eviction notice – an increase of 0.6% on last year’s quarter.
Overall the ending of a private tenancy accounted for over a quarter of all homelessness cases, the largest single cause of homelessness.
The Government’s Renters’ Rights Bill will end Section 21, which gives landlords the ability to evict tenants at will without a reason.
The legislation, currently in the upper chamber, is facing wrecking amendments from Conservative and pro-landlord peers, including an indefinite delay to abolishing Section 21, and allowing the vast majority of landlords to retain the powers.
Meanwhile, the crossbench peer, and founder of the Big Issue, Lord Bird has tabled amendments which would ensure most of the Bill comes into force on the day it passes.
Renting campaigners called on the Government to back these changes and commit to abolishing Section 21 as soon as possible.
In opposition, Labour backed amendments to the then Conservative Government’s Renters (Reform) Bill which would have brought the provisions to end Section 21 on the day that legislation received Royal Assent.
Lord Bird, founder of the Big Issue, said: “Section 21s undermine the security of all tenants living in private accommodation – regardless of whether their landlord has any intention of using them.
“Too many tenants hit by these evictions end up homeless, adding to this country’s spiralling homelessness crisis and increasing the pressure on local councils and public finances.
“Renters have waited too long for Westminster to come good on the promises of successive governments to end no-fault evictions.
“The Renters Rights’ Bill must be passed and implemented by the summer, as the government have promised, so this time next year, no renter will live in fear of this sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.”
Tom Darling, director of the Renters’ Reform Coalition, said: “Everyone should be able to have peace of mind in their own home, but Section 21 powers mean millions of private renters are forced to endure day-to-day insecurity, afraid to even ask their landlord for basic repairs for fear of eviction.
“The statistics released today show the urgency of ending Section 21 immediately as it grows as a cause of homelessness.
“It’s nearly six years this was first promised to renters under then-PM Theresa May, and every month without it happening sees more tenants out on the streets.
“Renters cannot afford to wait any longer – the Government must get past peers holding up the bill.”
