300 Londoners facing ‘no-fault’ evictions each week, study finds

By Noah Vickers, Local Democracy Reporter

New City Hall analysis has shown that almost 300 London renters are facing “no-fault” evictions every week, as mayor Sadiq Khan urged the Government to ban the practice.

The evictions, known as Section 21 notices, allow landlords to order tenants to leave with a minimum of two months’ warning – without having to prove that the tenant is at fault in any way.

The Conservatives first promised “a better deal for renters,” including a ban on no-fault evictions, in their manifesto ahead of the general election four years ago.

The Government has since said it will enforce a ban through its Renters Reform Bill, but concerns have been raised over whether the bill will have time to pass through Parliament before the next election.

The bill will receive its second reading in Parliament today. The scrapping of no fault evictions is controversial within the Conservative parliamentary party, and the bill is thought to be unlikely to pass until next year – the same year in which the election is expected.

Researchers at City Hall found that, since the 2019 manifesto promise was made, roughly 290 London renters have faced a Section 21 notice each week.

The figure is based on the number of no-fault eviction letters that have been followed up with a possession claim. City Hall said the true scale of the problem could therefore be worse, as not all Section 21 notices would necessarily reach this stage.

Mr Khan said: “This new analysis is deeply concerning. For too long, landlords have been able to take advantage of exploitative no-fault evictions, which leave renters vulnerable, simply because the Government refuses to act.”

A spokesman at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said: “The Renters Reform Bill will deliver a fairer private rented sector for both tenants and landlords.

“It will abolish ‘no fault’ evictions – giving people more security in their homes and to challenge poor practices – and gives tenants a legal right to request a pet in their home.

“It will also give more protections for landlords to repossess properties where tenants are antisocial, alongside creating a new Ombudsman to help resolve issues more quickly.

“We are progressing the Bill through Parliament with a second reading so we can create a private rented sector that is fit for the 21st century.”

(Picture: PA)