More than 26,000 tenants kicked out through no fault evictions – despite government pledge to scrap policy

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More than 26,000 tenants in England have been kicked out of their properties through no-fault evictions for the reason that government first promised to scrap them in 2019.

New figures launched by the Ministry of Justice present that 30,230 landlords began the controversial Section 21 no-fault eviction court docket proceedings in 2023 – a 28 per cent rise in a single 12 months.

The government first promised to scrap the evictions, which permit landlords to take away a tenant with out giving a purpose, in its 2019 manifesto. Now evaluation of MoJ figures by housing charity Shelter reveals that 26,311 households have been faraway from their properties utilizing these notices for the reason that unique pledge.

Charities argue that Section 21 evictions are a significant component contributing to hovering homelessness, with renters given little discover to discover a new dwelling.

Figures launched on Thursday additionally present that some 9,457 households have been kicked out of their properties by bailiffs previously 12 months, up 49 per cent from 6,399 households in 2022.

Some 2,671 no-fault evictions have been recorded for the final three months of 2023. This is a rise of 39 per cent on the identical interval the earlier 12 months, charities stated.

Labour’s shadow minister for housing, Matthew Pennycook, stated: “Private tenants are paying the price for the Tories decision to delay the abolition of no-fault evictions.

“The renters reform bill must scrap Section 21 evictions immediately.”

Polly Neate, chief govt of Shelter, stated that it was “utterly shameful” that the government had failed to implement reforms. She added: “How much longer are renters expected to live with the threat of unjust no-fault evictions hanging over them?”

Tom Darling, from the Renters’ Reform Coalition, stated that Thursday’s figures “confirm our fears that Section 21 no-fault evictions have seen a huge increase, with all the misery that entails”. He accused the goverment of “slow-walking one of the only policy levers they say will address” the homelessness disaster, by deprioritising the Renters (Reform) Bill.

It comes as figures additionally reveal that 16,000 social properties in England have been misplaced from complete housing inventory within the final 12 months. Some, 25,749 social properties have been both offered or demolished final 12 months in England, and simply 9,500 social properties have been constructed to exchange them, evaluation from homelessness charity Crisis discovered.

Matt Downie, chief govt of Crisis, stated that it was “disgraceful to see the number of social homes continue to be decimated”. There are at present 1.28 million households in England on a ready listing for a social lease dwelling.

A Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokesperson stated: “Our landmark Renters (Reform) Bill will deliver a fairer private rented sector for both tenants and landlords. It will abolish Section 21 evictions – giving people more security in their homes and empowering them to challenge poor practices.”

They added that their £11.5bn programme is delivering 1000’s extra inexpensive properties to lease and purchase.