Part 21 evictions – generally often known as ‘no-fault’ evictions – reached their highest degree since 2016 final yr, in accordance with new figures from the Ministry of Justice.
Greater than 32,380 households in England had been taken to courtroom by landlords searching for to evict them.
Throughout London, Waltham Forest had the very best price for personal landlord possession claims between October and December 2024, adopted by Newham then Barking and Dagenham.
Part 21 notices are often known as ‘no-fault’ evictions as a result of landlords aren’t required to supply a purpose when ordering tenants to go away with two months’ discover.
A ban on Part 21 evictions is without doubt one of the most important housing coverage modifications proposed within the Renters’ Rights Invoice which is at present working its approach via Parliament.
On the second studying of the Invoice within the Home of Lords earlier this month (4 February), Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, Lords Minister for Housing and Native Authorities mentioned: “The non-public rental system wants to alter, [it] at present offers the least reasonably priced, poorest high quality and insecure housing of all tenures.”
Baroness Taylor set out the important thing measures contained within the Invoice, which incorporates abolishing ‘no-fault’ evictions “as quickly as doable”.
Citing the havoc usually brought on by ‘no-fault’ evictions – notably on employment and education – Baroness Taylor mentioned banning Part 21 notices was meant to scale back the file variety of kids (159,380) and variety of households (123,000) at present being housed in short-term lodging.
Technology lease requires the Authorities to require landlords who discover legitimate grounds for eviction after a ban — ie. promoting the house and transferring in — to cowl their tenants’ prices. The marketing campaign group additionally requires lease will increase to be restricted to the decrease of wage progress or inflation.
Technology Hire’s chief govt Ben Twomey mentioned: “For the 1000’s of renters going through a Part 21 […] the Renters’ Rights Invoice will likely be too late. They’ve confronted the stress and expense of discovering a brand new place to dwell, and uprooting their lives on their landlord’s whim.
“The reforms imply landlords might want to display a sound purpose for eviction in future, and provides their tenants extra time to maneuver when promoting or transferring again in. However renters will nonetheless bear the price of transferring for causes past our management. And we’re nonetheless susceptible to unaffordable lease rises.”
Fastened-term tenancies and lease rises
Different headline measures contained in Labour’s Renters’ Rights Invoice embrace an finish to fixed-term tenancies. Baroness Taylor mentioned: “Tenants will have the ability to give two months’ discover at any level […] Neither group must be locked into a set time period ought to their circumstances change.”
Landlords will solely have the ability to improve rents annually whereas, ought to the Invoice be handed in its present kind, tenants will have the ability to problem will increase with out worry of being compelled to pay larger lease than earlier than the problem.
Rents have risen sooner than incomes in recent times so campaigners argue that lease rises will nonetheless see tenants compelled to maneuver.
“The federal government should take the chance to strengthen protections for tenants by requiring landlords who wish to transfer in or promote to cowl the price of their tenant’s relocation, and limiting lease rises to the decrease of wage progress or inflation,” mentioned Twomey.
The Invoice outlines the Authorities’s continued dedication to supporting accountable pet house owners. Landlords will be unable to unreasonably withhold consent when tenants request to dwell with a pet however, in a change to earlier variations of the Invoice and the outdated Renters’ Reform Invoice of 2023/2024, landlords will have the ability to require insurance coverage masking pet injury.
“The Invoice ensures tenants can put down roots of their communities, they should get pleasure from that stability simply as householders do,” mentioned Baroness Taylor.
“This would be the greatest change to the expertise of renting on this nation for generations.”
Critics argue that rental insurance coverage masking pet injury just isn’t extensively out there and so this modification quantities to stopping tenants from with the ability to have pets in lets.
Baroness Scott of Byrbook, Vice President of the Native Authorities Affiliation, known as the Renters’ Rights Invoice “counterproductive”.
“Whereas the Authorities might have good intentions, they may drive landlords from the market, lowering alternative and placing up lease for the tenants they search to guard,” added Baroness Scott.
The Invoice will now transfer to Committee Stage, often within the two weeks after a second studying, earlier than transferring to Report Stage. There’ll then be a 3rd studying which is the ultimate change for the Lords to amend the invoice. If there are any Lords amendments, the Invoice will likely be despatched again to the Home of Commons for consideration. If there are not any Lords amendments, the Invoice will likely be despatched to King Charles for royal assent. After this it must be made an Act of Parliament.
What occurred to the outdated Renters’ Reform Invoice?
The much-delayed and amended Renters’ Reform Invoice didn’t cross earlier than the Basic Election final yr and now, in its revised kind underneath the brand new Labour Authorities, the Renters’ Rights Invoice is at present working its approach via Parliament.
Whereas most of the key items of laws sound acquainted a key level of distinction on Part 21 notices is: the Conservatives deliberate to delay the ban on Part 21 evictions till “enough progress has been made to enhance the courts”, whereas Labour says the ban will occur “as quickly as doable”.
