Surge in no-fault evictions by bailiffs in England

Campaigners have called for greater protection of renters

The number of no-fault evictions by bailiffs in England surged by almost 50% last year, compared with 2022.

Under Section 21 notices, people who rent their homes can be removed without landlords having to provide a reason.

The government has promised its new Renters (Reform) Bill will ban Section 21 evictions in England.

But campaigners have warned the bill is "on life support" and have accused ministers of "deprioritising" the reforms.

The number of households repossessed by bailiffs after receiving a Section 21, or no-fault, notice rose by 49% last year from 6,339 to 9,457.

Housing charity Shelter says only the most desperate tenants are evicted by a bailiff. Most leave before the end of their notice period when they receive a Section 21 order.

In addition to the sharp rise in bailiff evictions, the total number of no-fault notices has risen to a seven-year high.

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Latest figures from the Ministry of Justice show 30,230 were served last year, up from 23,622 in 2022, a 28% increase.

The Conservatives promised to ban no-fault evictions in their 2019 general election manifesto.

MPs began debating the Renters (Reform) Bill in October, but it has yet to complete its passage through the Commons.

Landlords have warned that banning no-fault evictions will force many of them to sell and therefore reduce the availability of homes to rent.

Shelter pointed to figures showing that since the government first promised to end no-fault evictions, a total of 26,311 bailiff repossessions had been granted.

Chief executive Polly Neate accused the government of "bowing to vested interests while renters are marched out of their homes in their thousands".

As the figures were released, Commons leader Penny Mordaunt outlined the upcoming business in Parliament, but made no mention of the bill.

Tom Darling, campaign manager of the Renters' Reform Coalition, said: "What a shocking juxtaposition - on the day figures confirm our fears that Section 21 'no-fault' evictions have seen a huge increase, with all the misery that entails, we hear that the long-awaited Renters (Reform) Bill is now on life-support after being deprioritised by the government."

The government insisted the bill would return to the Commons soon.

A spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said: "Our landmark Renters (Reform) Bill will deliver a fairer private rented sector for both tenants and landlords.

"It will abolish Section 21 evictions - giving people more security in their homes and empowering them to challenge poor practices."