Renters (Reform) Bill forsaken as no-fault evictions rise

LGA says removal of no-fault evictions would be “a significant step towards tackling our national homelessness crisis” and urges next government to abolish Section 21 notices

The Conservative’s flagship Renters (Reform) Bill which promised to ban section 21 no-fault evictions has been abandoned as parliament dissolved ahead of July’s scheduled general election.

Almost 29,000 households have been evicted by bailiffs since Theresa May first promised to ban Section 21 no-fault evictions in April 2019. Such evictions are contributing to rising homelessness as landlords can evict tenants without reason, with only two months’ notice. Recent government data revealed that 2,682 households in England were subject to Section 21 no-fault evictions between January and March – a 19% increase in a year and the highest number in six years – and a further 7,863 landlords started proceedings against tenants, an increase of 15% in a year.

The Renters (Reform) Bill was introduced to the Commons in May 2023 aiming to make the rental market fairer and prevent landlords from evicting tenants without reason. However, its progress was delayed by opposition from some Conservative MPs who wanted to strengthen protections for landlords. Last month, MPs voted to accept amendments to the Bill, which could indefinitely delay banning Section 21 evictions and reintroduce some fixed term tenancies.

Labour sources suggested the party wanted to strengthen the Bill but would back the legislation as it stood to ensure it passed before purdah. However, the Bill was not on the parliamentary timetable and not debated before parliament was dissolved.

"Renters have been shouting from the rooftops about the urgent need for reform, but once again politicians have let them down,” said Polly Neate, Chief Executive of Shelter. “Evictions are rocketing to new heights whilst this government has put the threats of a small group of self-interested landlord backbenchers over the safety and security of 11 million private renters.”

Neate said the Bill has been “left in tatters” and “will keep renters trapped in the same hellish conditions they’ve endured for decades, or abandon them to the whims of their landlords and the terrifying spectre of homelessness.”

“Critically, the market now faces yet more crippling uncertainty about what the future of the private rented sector looks like.”

Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association said the Bill was in a state which would work for tenants and responsible landlords. “There has been too much dither and delay in government, and a failure to be clear about how to ensure changes would work in practice. Critically, the market now faces yet more crippling uncertainty about what the future of the private rented sector looks like.”

An LGA spokesperson said: “This Bill was designed to deliver a fairer, more secure, and higher-quality private rented sector, but continued delays leave over 4.5 million people living in the private rented sector in limbo. The removal of ‘no-fault’ evictions would be a significant step towards tackling our national homelessness crisis. We urge whoever forms the next government to abolish Section 21 notices to provide renters greater security.”

The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said commenting during the pre-election period would be inappropriate.