Section 21 evictions are now at their highest level since July 2016, as 8,425 took place between July and September, figures from the Ministry of Justice show.
This figure is up from 8,317 in April-June, and the highest since April-June 2016, when 9,330 were affected.
In March 2024, then-Chancellor Jeremy Hunt cut Capital Gains Tax on residential property, which appears to have prompted some landlords to put their properties up for sale, and evict their tenants in the process.
The Renters’ Rights Bill will halt Section 21 evictions, meaning landlords will have to have a reason to evict tenants – and also go through a lengthy court process as it stands. The ban is expected to go through next year.
Ben Twomey, chief executive of tenant campaign group Generation Rent, said: “While the Renters’ Rights Bill will rightly give tenants four months’ notice to move if their landlord sells up, renters will still have to raid savings or borrow money to fund a move for their landlord’s convenience.
“Where tenants face eviction for reasons beyond our control, we need more time in our homes and financial support with the costs of moving.”
Generation Rent called for longer periods of protection for tenants, as well as the requirement for landlords to compensate tenants forced to move.
