Over 84,000 households faced with Section 21 evictions after failed promise to ban them

The government has been accused of betraying renters on the fifth anniversary of a "failed" promise to ban section 21 evictions - as figures suggest that over 84,000 households have been at risk of homelessness since then.

Tom Darling, Campaign Manager at the Renters’ Reform Coalition, said, “It is absurd that the government has now officially taken 5 years to deliver these basic reforms – that’s longer than Brexit took!! The delays as the government have played politics on this issue, making concessions to water down protections for renters, have led to real human suffering and damage.”

What is a section 21 notice?

A Section 21 order allows landlords to evict tenants with just two months' notice, without providing a reason for doing so. It is sometimes called a ‘no-fault’ eviction.

Former Conservative prime minister Theresa May promised to scrap Section 21 (S21) notices on 15 April 2019 and it was also in Boris Johnson's manifesto.

But last month, the government announced a delay to the plan to ban them, because of court reforms in progress.

This comes as analysis of data from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) shows that at least 84,460 private renting households have claimed homeless prevention support after being issued a section 21 notice since 2019.

This figure only includes those who have claimed support from their council. According to the Renters’ Reform Coalition, who carried out the research, the total number of section 21 evictions since the Government’s pledge is likely to be close to 400,000.

A DLUHC spokesperson said, “We are committed to delivering our landmark Renters (Reform) Bill that will provide a fairer private rented sector for both tenants and landlords. The Bill will abolish section 21 evictions – giving people more security in their homes and empowering them to challenge poor practices.”

Are you or is anyone you know at risk of becoming homeless?

 If you’re currently homeless or at risk of being made homeless in the next eight weeks, get in touch with your local council. They’ll look at emergency and temporary housing options for you and anyone under your care.

If the council recognise you’re at risk of homelessness, they must sort out emergency housing. To find out if you meet the criteria, check what help you should get on Shelter’s website.