0:01 AM, 19th May 2023, About 2 years ago 10
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The number of landlords in England and Wales using a section 21 ‘no-fault’ notice is higher than ever before, according to new government figures.
The latest data from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) shows that there has been a 116% increase to 2,252 households being evicted by bailiffs under s21 proceedings between January and March, from the same quarter last year.
It has also been revealed that evictions and repossessions in the first three months of 2023 are 52% higher than they were before the pandemic hit.
And they are 22% higher than last year.
The MoJ also says that the use of bailiffs is up by 18% on the previous quarter – with 2,449 households being affected – and is 61% up year-on-year.
Other forms of eviction from the private rented sector (PRS) are also at record levels with 7,269 eviction claims from landlords not using a section 21 notice being filed.
That’s a 16% rise from the previous quarter and the highest number since records began in 2009.
The homelessness charity Crisis is now urging the government to ensure that the Bill delivers on its promise to create a fairer, safer system for renters.
It also says that no one should be made to leave their home with nowhere to go – though the charity uses the term ‘forced from their home’ in their media briefings.
Francesca Albanese, Crisis’ interim director of policy and external affairs, said: “No one should be forced from their home or live in fear that an eviction notice will come through their door at any moment, but these figures show that this is a rapidly escalating reality for thousands of renters.
“What these statistics don’t show is the anxiety and worry that comes with trying to find another home after an eviction notice in one of the most difficult housing markets we’ve ever known.
“They can’t show the pressure placed on people who are left with no choice but to live with mould and damp because the only alternative is no home at all.”
She added: “Introducing the Renters’ Reform Bill this week is a welcome step from government.
“Now we need to get on with making sure Parliament not only passes the Bill as quickly as possible, but ensures it is strong enough to deliver on its commitment to give tenants the security and stability they desperately need.”
Polly Neate, Shelter’s chief executive, said: “The Renters’ Reform Bill is a breakthrough in the battle to make renting fairer, safer and more secure.
“By the end of the year, we hope laws will be in place to prevent any more tenants from being kicked out of their homes for no reason.
“Private renters have been waiting a long time to see unfair no-fault evictions abolished.”
“Since the government first promised to do this in 2019, 61,000 households have had to face the courts and endure the fear, the panic, and the threat of homelessness that Section 21 evictions cause.”
She added: “But for the Renters’ Reform Bill to work, loopholes must not be created for unfair evictions to carry on via the backdoor.
“The government must ensure when landlords do seek to take their property back that they provide sufficient proof their intentions are legitimate, notice periods are long enough to protect tenants from homelessness, and there are big penalties for misuse.”
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Ian Narbeth
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Sign Up5:26 AM, 19th May 2023, About 2 years ago
“ Francesca Albanese, Crisis’ interim director of policy and external affairs, said: “No one should be forced from their home or live in fear that an eviction notice will come through their door at any moment…”
Tenants who fail to pay rent, who carry on illegal activities in the property, who wilfully damage the property and materially breach the terms of their tenancy should most certainly fear an eviction notice. Ms Albanese should look up “moral hazard”. If bad conduct is rewarded and not sanctioned, there will be more bad conduct.
Denise G
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Sign Up11:24 AM, 19th May 2023, About 2 years ago
"By the end of the year, we hope laws will be in place to prevent any more tenants from being kicked out of their homes for no reason"
Are they mad? Or do they think we are?
Who on God's green earth would 'kick their tenant out for no reason'???
Why would anyone want to see a property standing vacant with no income coming in - if the tenant had paid their rent on time and/or done nothing else wrong?
Beaver
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Sign Up11:32 AM, 19th May 2023, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Ian Narbeth at 19/05/2023 - 05:26
This is correct. Negative reinforcement (sanctions of one kind or another) rarely work. Often when we get undesirable behaviour of one kind or another it is because when you look closely it's being supported by something.
"*No one* should be forced from *their* home...?" It's not the tenants' home if they don't pay the rent, look after the property and get on with the neighbours.
No fault evictions are bound to be high right now as landlords take action before the new regulations bite and they can't get their properties back or reduce their losses as interest rates drive mortgage rates up and they can't be deducted from finance costs.
At this stage nobody has explained how the Renters Reform Bill will encourage good landlords. Nobody has explained to landlords how the Renters Reform Bill will put other mechanisms in place that would make the no fault evictions process redundant. So nobody should be surprised that evictions are high.
TheMaluka
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Sign Up11:54 AM, 19th May 2023, About 2 years ago
I hope the Renters Reform Bill will be closely followed by the Owners Reform Bill so that Owner Occupiers cannot be evicted for not paying their mortgage.
Richie
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Sign Up11:55 AM, 19th May 2023, About 2 years ago
No one should be surprised at the increase. This is the result of Shelter and their followers not thinking things through and attacking all LL's with "a one solution covers all". ALBANESE had not a clue and advising Government to just earn her huge unrealistic salary is a disaster. From what I read it's mostly social housing that needs an uplift not so many PRS.
BUILD COUNCIL HOUSING as prior to Maggie Thatcher. Who just made more Tories!
Old Mrs Landlord
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Sign Up13:45 PM, 19th May 2023, About 2 years ago
Three word phrase that neither of these organisations seem to understand: Cause and Effect.
GlanACC
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Sign Up16:37 PM, 19th May 2023, About 2 years ago
Can't pay, take it away. Doesn't matter if its a single parent, a family, mental health issues. The landlord is not a social worker or a carer. Get shut of your rubbish tenants before you can't, otherwise it will be you who ends up stressing. I learned this many years ago when stupidly 'I took pity' on a family with one child who said the arrears were caused by the council still investigating their claim. 12 months of arrears later I found out that they had been receiving money from the council and spent most of it on dope. It all ended in tears for them when they ended up with all their furniture on the front lawn and the beaten up old car seized by the bailifs. The kid got took into care as well.
northern landlord
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Sign Up12:51 PM, 20th May 2023, About 2 years ago
So, ”no one should be made to leave their home with nowhere to go” and “No one should be forced from their home’. Isn’t that what happens to owner occupiers who can’t pay their mortgage? Yet there is no vilification against mortgage lenders presumably as mortgage lending is seen as ” just business” while renting a home out which is also surely “just business” seems to have an emotional component to it. Landlords who repossess are seen as evil and grasping while Banks and Building societies who do the same are excused because it is “just business”.
TheMaluka
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Sign Up13:18 PM, 20th May 2023, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by northern landlord at 20/05/2023 - 12:51
Exactly my thoughts which you have expressed so succinctly.
Stella
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Sign Up12:13 PM, 21st May 2023, About 2 years ago
I used to think that Crisis was better than shelter and for several years I gave them a contribution.
I am glad that I saw the light and cancelled my direct debit some time ago.