No-fault evictions to be banned in reform of rental

Francesca Ionescu Politics Editor

Four years ago Prime Minister Theresa May announced the plan to scrap Section 21. So far MPs have not had the opportunity to vote on any legislation regarding the subject. The original bill intended to scrap Section 21 was supposed to be called the Renter’s Reform Bill, and the published white paper outline was criticized for containing too many loopholes.

Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 “enables private landlords to repossess their properties from assured shorthold tenants without having to establish fault on the part of the tenant”. It is usually referred to as a ‘nofault’ eviction, and it puts tenants in an unstable position, unable to plan for their children’s education, and less likely to secure repairs or challenge rent increases. Landlords can ask tenants to leave with just two months’ notice.

According to the ONS, private rent has increased by 4.6% in England, 4.4% in Wales, and 5.1% in Scotland between March 2022 and March 2023.

London particularly has a much more significant supply/demand imbalance. In 2022, the number of households facing homelessness raised by 6% compared to the year before, up to 290,330. In the same time frame, the number of people facing homeless as a result of a Section 21 notice went up by 50%, to 24,060 households.

The white paper still gives land- lord eviction powers: one of the options is for the landlord to move into the property themselves, then put it back on the rental market three months later. Otherwise, in-tenancy rent could be raised, forcing tenants to move out.

In Stoke-on-Trent, the Citizens Advice Bureau said 70% of its housing support staff is helping people with