A warning has been issued to ministers that significant changes in renters’ rights could trigger a surge in illegal evictions. The Renters’ Reform Coalition (RRC) has expressed concerns about the potential consequences of the Renters Rights Bill, which aims to address issues such as banning bidding wars, allowing pets for renters, and crucially, prohibiting Section 21 evictions for both new and existing tenancies.
The RRC has highlighted the risk that landlords, who have traditionally relied on Section 21 for evictions, may resort to unlawful methods once the new legislation is enacted. Illegal evictions encompass various actions like using force, threats, harassment, changing locks, or disconnecting essential services like water and energy.
Official data from the Ministry of Justice indicates that England witnessed over 32,000 Section 21 evictions last year. Moreover, a joint study by Safer Renting and the University of York revealed at least 8,748 instances of illegal evictions in England in 2022. Shockingly, during that period, only 26 landlords faced convictions, resulting in a prosecution rate of a mere 0.3%.
Tom Darling, Director of the RRC, urged the government to ensure rigorous enforcement measures by police forces and local councils against illegal evictions. He emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that many vulnerable renters face homelessness annually due to unscrupulous landlords employing aggressive tactics.
Roz Spencer, Head of Service at Safer Renting, highlighted the urgency of the issue, noting that an illegal eviction occurs every hour in England, leaving renters feeling helpless. The potential abolition of Section 21 eviction could push landlords towards illegal practices, with minimal fear of prosecution due to inadequate enforcement actions.
In response, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government reassured that the Renters’ Rights Bill aims to empower councils to crack down on rogue landlords and hold them criminally accountable. The bill seeks to enhance tenants’ security, rights, and protections within their residences as part of the government’s broader strategy for reform.