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0:01 AM, 11th August 2023, About 9 months ago 36
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The number of no-fault evictions by bailiffs has risen sharply, according to new government figures.
The latest data from the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) shows the number of households removed from their homes by court bailiffs is up by 41%.
Between April and June this year, more than 2,000 households were evicted by bailiffs using a Section 21 no-fault eviction notice, up from 1,578 households since the same quarter last year.
According to the MOJ, more than 20,000 households have been kicked out of their homes by bailiffs since the government first promised to ban no-fault evictions in 2019.
The latest data reveals 24,060 households were threatened with homelessness as a result of a Section 21 no-fault evictions in the past year – up by 21% compared to the previous 12 months.
The figures also reveal 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% on January to March, and 35% higher than in the same period last year.
Polly Neate, Shelter’s chief executive, said: “With private rents reaching record highs and no-fault evictions continuing to rise, hundreds of families risk being thrown into homelessness every day.
“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.”
Shelter is now urging the government to prioritise the Renters Reform Bill when MPs return from their summer holiday in September.
Ms Neate said: “The Renters Reform Bill will make renting more secure, and for those who live in fear of the bailiffs knocking at their door, these changes can’t come soon enough.
“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 campaign group Generation Rent, told the Guardian: “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.”
However, for the vast majority of landlords serving a Section 21 notice is usually a last resort.
As a recent Property118 investigation reveals when tenants are at risk of homelessness the local authority has a duty to try to prevent homelessness from happening and should be working together with the landlord.
The NRLA said one reason for the rise in tenant evictions was a rise in landlords selling up.
Chris Norris, the NRLA policy director, told the Guardian: “Tax changes designed to dampen the supply of homes to rent, coupled with ever-growing costs and uncertainty over planned reforms is pushing many simply to leave the market. In many instances they are forced to take back possession of their properties.
“The best way to prevent repossessions is to ensure landlords have confidence to stay in the market. That is why the government needs to rethink its tax hikes on the sector and ensure that its renters reform bill has the confidence of responsible landlords every bit as much as tenants.”
LMitchell
9:55 AM, 11th August 2023, About 9 months ago
Shelter have no right to hit out at anything. They are the ones who have caused this situation.
Lee Chapman
10:06 AM, 11th August 2023, About 9 months ago
Currently its about the ONLY right a landlord has over their own property. And thats soon to be stolen away from us.
Gromit
10:13 AM, 11th August 2023, About 9 months ago
We are heading back to the pre 1988 Housing Act days of having "sitting" tenants.
As the next target will be not allowing eviction if you want to sell.
Stella
10:23 AM, 11th August 2023, About 9 months ago
Reply to the comment left by LMitchell at 11/08/2023 - 09:55
Its worth delving a bit deeper to see who Shelter are in bed with. Could it be the BTR guys?
They certainly are not on the side of the tenants that they supposedly represent.
Markella Mikkelsen
10:47 AM, 11th August 2023, About 9 months ago
If I were the editor of Polly Neate's media bytes, this is how they would read:
"20,000 households have been kicked out of their homes" = 20,000 households were given 2 months notice to look for an alternative rental property.
"24,060 households were threatened with homelesness" = 24,060 households did not bother looking for another property for 2 months and left it to the last minute or to the council to rehome them.
"7,491 no fault eviction claims were brought before the court" = 7,491 landlords were not asked to provide a reason for serving an eviction notice. The majority would have loved to share, had they been asked.
"increasing numbers are being evicted so landlords can sell up" = Retiring landlords are exercising their right to sell their own asset.
"landlords can too easily use and abuse the current system" = ehhm, I am really struggling with this one. How can I abuse a system where the "accelerated" procedure takes six months at best? Maybe one of you can help?
Stella
11:19 AM, 11th August 2023, About 9 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Gromit at 11/08/2023 - 10:13
Everything points to us heading back to the days pre 1988 rent act.
I remember them so well!
If the Government gives shelter everything they demand as is the case right now then todays shortage of homes to rent will pale into insignificance compared to what is to come.
Pre 1988 rent act the amount of properties rented had shrunk down to circa 8% and the reason that it was not even lower was because no one moved out and if the owner sold the property it would have to be with a sitting tenant and then it would be to a cash buyer who would pay about 50% of the real value.
What I want to know is how will the Government find homes for the vast amount of people who have no hope of finding a property.
Chris @ Possession Friend
11:42 AM, 11th August 2023, About 9 months ago
Shelter, Tenant Enemy No. 1
Blodwyn
11:44 AM, 11th August 2023, About 9 months ago
I respectfully disagree with LMitchell, Shelter are not 'causing' the problem. They are aggravating the problem caused at least in part by a Conservative Government that is pretty sure in its Truth Bone that they are probably in for a sellacking at the next General Election from a public fed up with their Boris nonsense (a surface scratch in the general life pattern?), the disaster that was Truss that did far more deep economic damage and their constant vacillation.
This government has damaged the PRS sector in its chase for cheap votes, 'Yes' to all who ask for the moon and say they will vote for them. The fact that those who promise on their mum's life they will vote for them almost certainly won't hasn't yet occurred.
Shelter are aiming at the wrong target with the wrong message. They should shout at the government for fair treatment al round, where the PRS may flourish in a stable financial environment and tenants may get on with their lives at a reasonable affordable rent and those wanting to get on the property ladder don't have to live with their ageing parents at 35! I am a life long Tory and assure those banging their heads on a wall that I'm not the only one trying to rattle cages.
Churchills Tax Advisers
11:44 AM, 11th August 2023, About 9 months ago
"24,060 households were threatened with homelessness as a result of a Section 21 no-fault evictions" -
Alternatively
"24,060 tenants told to sit tight by councils, otherwise they will be treated as deliberately making themselves homeless"
Mick Roberts
12:34 PM, 11th August 2023, About 9 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Gromit at 11/08/2023 - 10:13
Yes Gromit, how can they not look back in history at pre 1988?