Mayor slams Government’s ‘broken promises’ to protect renters as no fault evictions in London jump more than 60 per cent

 

• New City Hall analysis shows that the number of no-fault eviction claims against renters has jumped 62 per cent in the last year
• Ministers pledged to outlaw the practice in 2019 but still have not done so
• In London alone, more than 30,000 renting households have faced a no-fault eviction claim since the Government pledged to abolish them in 2019
• In the vacuum left by Ministers, Sadiq steps up vital new funding to protect renters from the worst rogue landlords threatening illegal eviction and harassment

 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan is demanding the Government finally act on their promise to protect private renters as new City Hall analysis finds that more than 30,000 renting households in the capital have faced a Section 21 ‘no-fault eviction’ claim since ministers first pledged to outlaw them in 2019.

 

There are also fears that the prospect of no-fault evictions becoming illegal could be fuelling a spike in the practice as landlords act now to avoid the ban. Ministry of Justice data shows that in London alone, the number of ‘no-fault eviction’ claims has risen 62 per cent in the last year from 7,057 in 2022 to 11,457 in 2023(1).

 

The Renters (Reform) Bill was finally introduced to Parliament last May. It would mean that landlords could evict tenants in England only under certain circumstances, including when they wish to sell the property or when they or a close family member want to move in. However, after nearly a year of delays there are fears it may not pass before the next General Election and earlier this week there were reports it may be watered down, with greater protections for landlords and a delay on implementing the ban on ‘no-fault evictions’. (2)

 

Despite having no formal powers over private renting, the Mayor has committed to standing up for London’s 2.7m private renters (3). Whilst ‘no-fault evictions’ remain legal, there are also thousands of Londoners every year facing the prospect of illegal evictions: where renters are at risk of being kicked out of their homes through landlords changing the locks; disposing of renters’ possessions; and harassing tenants until they have no choice but to leave.

 

Amidst fears that some landlords may use this period of uncertainty to illegally evict tenants before stronger protections come in, the Mayor is providing funding for the social justice charity Cambridge House, which is expected to help their Safer Renting programme directly reach hundreds of the most vulnerable renters, and have a wider deterrent effect on rogue landlord behaviour helping many more tenants in similar positions (4). Safer Renting provides specialist support and advice to private renters in London who are being exploited by rogue landlords and facing immediate illegal eviction. This frequently includes intervening on the doorstep to keep renters in their homes.

 

Safer Renting works closely with the police and boroughs to uphold compliance with the Protection from Eviction Act (1977) and the Criminal Law Act (1977). Safer Renting also supports renters to help find a lawyer or access Legal Aid, where it is available, secure compensation; obtain a rent repayment order, and/or obtain an injunction to prevent an illegal eviction from happening.

 

Alongside this, the Mayor is also increasing financial support for his landmark Better Renting programme (5), to train borough housing officers to tackle common problems in the private rental sector including mould and damp, harassment by landlords and threats of illegal eviction. Nearly 400 housing and environmental health officers have been trained under the Better Renting programme since it launched in November 2019.

 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “Once again London’s 2.7m private renters are left with the threat of eviction hanging over their heads due to ministers’ broken promises.

 

“Any sense of relief we felt when the Renters Reform Bill finally limped into Parliament last year has now been washed away by months of dither and delay, followed by reports of the promised reforms now being watered down beyond recognition.

 

“Meanwhile, in the real world, London renters are losing their homes at a rapidly increasing rate both from the still-legal Section 21 and the actions of unscrupulous rogue landlords.

 

“I am doing all I can to build a better, fairer London for everyone by supporting tenants but I cannot act alone. The Government must see renter rights as a priority and get this Bill into law as a matter of the highest priority.”

 

Roz Spencer, Head of the Safer Renting Service at Cambridge House said: "In this country, roughly every hour of every day, another renter is illegally evicted from their home - London sadly is a hotspot. Most get away with it.

 

"Our Safer Renting programme uses all existing legal options available to protect the victims or secure redress for them. We are enormously pleased in these dark circumstances, the Mayor has been able to provide new funds, to protect more of the innocent renters, as we await long overdue reform to a feudal-style "landlord-tenant" relationship which shames our 21st century veneer of civilised society."

 

Ben Twomey, Chief Executive of Generation Rent said: "It is unacceptable for renters to be treated as an afterthought around government reforms which we were told would help us.

 

“The government must extend notice periods from two to four months for renters who are evicted through no fault of our own, as one of the most important ways the new law could prevent homelessness. As the housing crisis deepens in London and across the country, it is vital that politicians take urgent action to support renters everywhere."