Home > News > No-fault evictions hit record level for 6 years in the UK

No-fault evictions hit record level for 6 years in the UK

Court proceedings for no-fault evictions in England have reached their highest level in six years, ahead of new legislation being passed to ban the practice.

Figures released by the Ministry of Justice on Thursday show that 7,491 no-fault eviction claims were brought before the courts between April and June.

That is the highest recorded number since 2017, up 10% from January to March and 35% higher than in the same period last year.

There were 2,228 no-fault evictions carried out in the same period involving bailiffs, up 41% year on year but almost flat compared with the first quarter of 2023.

Campaigners said the figures demonstrated why the renters’ reform bill to ban no-fault evictions, now going through parliament, was essential. At present, it is legal under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 for landlords in England to ask tenants to leave with two months’ notice without having to establish a reason why, a measure that has had a chilling effect on tenants’ confidence to challenge defects.

Polly Neate, the chief executive of the housing charity Shelter, said: “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 added: “The moment parliament resumes, the government must get rid of no-fault evictions, which have made the prospect of a stable home little more than a fantasy for England’s 11 million private renters.”

Dan Wilson Craw, the deputy chief executive of the campaign group Generation Rent, said: “Renters are bearing the brunt of the cost of living crisis, with record numbers being evicted for rent arrears and increasing numbers being evicted so landlords can sell up or raise the rent. And it’s incredibly hard to find a new place to live with rents so high, which is forcing many out of their home town or to seek homeless support from their council.

“We need better protections for tenants whose landlord is selling, benefit support that is linked to actual rents, and building of more homes, particularly social homes, to bring down rents.”

The Conservative Party promised to ban no-fault evictions in its 2019 election manifesto, but progress has been slow. The renters’ reform bill had its first reading in May, and no date has yet been set for the second reading, which could take place in September at the earliest after parliament returns from recess.

HICH LTD has continually raised the quality standards in the UK property survey market. Our multi-award-winning property survey service has made us the leading reference in the property survey market.

We offer property survey services of the highest quality. Using state-of-the-art equipment, we provide excellent property surveys at affordable prices. Our prices are based on the number of rooms rather than the value of the properties, so you will always get the best value for money with our services.

Please look at our Trustpilot page and see why customers have chosen us as their favourite property survey provider!

At HICH LTD, we work to serve our clients and make the world a better place for everyone. We actively collaborate with NGOs to promote environmental, social and charitable causes. If you want to know more about our efforts or how you can help, contact us at admin@hich-ltd.co.uk.

HICH LTD extends a warm invitation to contractors and service providers throughout the UK to join our network; by joining the Contractors and Service Providers Network, you will enjoy benefits such as a significant increase in customer flow, advertising on our high-traffic website, and direct contact with thousands of customers in your postcode area. Find more information here or by following the QR code in the video.