Section 21 evictions rise as homelessness hits record highs

Government statistics reveal a rise in the number of tenants facing Section 21 evictions – though the number of households at risk of homelessness fell by 1.3%.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) data reveals that 6,800 households were threatened with homelessness due to a Section 21 eviction notice between July and September last year.

That’s a 0.6% increase from the same quarter in 2023.

The termination of private tenancies remains the leading single cause of homelessness, the department says, accounting for more than a quarter of all cases.

Spiralling homelessness crisis

In response to the government figures, Lord Bird, the founder of Big Issue and a crossbench peer, is urging for the immediate outlawing of Section 21 evictions when the Renters’ Rights Bill becomes law.

Legal experts say that could happen in May or June.

He told the Big Issue: “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.”

The director of the Renters’ Reform Coalition, Tom Darling, told the magazine: “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.”

Homeless and temporary accommodation figures

The government statistics also show that a record 164,040 children are currently homeless and living in temporary accommodation, a 15% increase – 21,650 more children – from last year.

This is the seventh consecutive record high in two years.

Also, 126,040 households in England are homeless and in temporary accommodation, up 16% in a year and hitting yet another all-time high.

Among them, 24,360 households are living in B&Bs and hostels, reflecting a 17% annual increase.

Build more social housing

The news has prompted Shelter to urge the government to build more social housing to accommodate the homeless.

Its chief executive, Polly Neate, said: “It is unacceptable that homelessness continues to rocket when the government has the power to end it entirely.

“Homelessness has a simple solution – a safe, secure social rent home gives everyone the chance to succeed, but there’s nowhere near enough.

“If the government is serious about tackling the housing emergency, we must see ambitious investment in social housing in June’s Spending Review.

“Investing in 90,000 social rent homes a year for 10 years would give families a fighting chance and end homelessness for good.”