Tens of thousands of renters booted out of homes as ‘no-fault’ evictions surge – despite government plan to crack down

TENS of thousands of renters have been booted out of their homes amid a rise in “no-fault” evictions.

Section 21 notices enforced by bailiffs have risen by 8% over the last year, according to Ministry of Justice figures.

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That’s despite the Labour Government promising to crack down on “no-fault” evictions, which allow landlords to force renters out during their tenancy without needing a specified reason.

A total of 11,402 repossessions by county court bailiffs following a Section 21 notice were reported in the year up to June 2025.

That’s up from 10,576 over the previous 12 months.

Labour had pledged to push through new rules that would give more power to tenants and ban Section 21 notices.

The rules mean landlords will need to apply for a hearing before they can evict a tenant.

But the Renters’ Rights Bill hasn’t been made into law yet and some landlords have been selling off their properties ahead of the reforms.

It was due to come into force this autumn but a report in the Financial Times has suggested it will be pushed back because of delays in Parliament.

Campaign group the Renters Reform Coalition raised fears the delay could mean the bill until spring next year.

Director Tom Darling said at the time: “Renters will feel let down yet again on hearing that Section 21 no fault evictions are now unlikely to be scrapped until 2026 – a year and a half since the government was elected on a manifesto pledge to ‘immediately abolish’ them…

“Everyone needs a decent, secure home, but with every month that passes thousands more renters are faced with a no-fault eviction.”

Homelessness charity Shelter has reacted angrily to the latest Section 21 figures.

Spokesperson Mairi MacRae told The Telegraph: “It is unconscionable that more than a year after the Government came to power, thousands of renters continue to be marched out of their homes by bailiffs because of an unfair policy that the Government said would be scrapped immediately.”

A Government spokesman told the paper: “No one should live in fear of a Section 21 eviction and these new figures show exactly why we will abolish them through our Renters’ Rights Bill, which is a manifesto commitment and legislative priority for this Government.

“We’re determined to level the playing field by providing tenants with greater security, rights and protections in their homes and our landmark reforms will be implemented swiftly after the Bill becomes law.”

What else is included in the Renters’ Rights Bill?

It’s not just a ban on Section 21 evictions covered in the Renters’ Rights Bill.

A host of other changes are included in the legislation. These are just a few of the major ones:

• Ensuring possession grounds are fair to both parties – this will give tenants more security but also allow landlords to recover their properties “when reasonable”
• Providing stronger protections against backdoor eviction – this will ensure tenants can appeal above-market rents which are designed to force them out
• Introduce a new Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman – this will mean renters can get impartial help if they have a grievance with their landlord
• Give tenants strengthened rights to request a pet in the property – a landlord will have to consider this and cannot refuse it unreasonably
• Apply “Awaab’s Law” to the sector – this will set clear legal expectations about the timeframes within which landlords in the private rented sector have to take action to make homes safe where they contain serious hazards.

What to do if you’ve been served a Section 21 notice

Here is what you can do, according to the Renters’ Reform Coalition…

Check the form – a Section 21 notice must be on an official form, known as a 6a form.

Your landlord can’t issue an eviction notice just by telling you in person or by text/email.

Check if the form is valid – you must be given at least two months notice to vacate a property.

You also can’t be given a Section 21 if your tenancy started less than four months prior.

If you are on a fixed-term contract you can’t receive a Section 21 unless there is a break clause in it.

These things can also make a Section 21 notice invalid:

• The council has given your landlord an improvement notice to fix things, or an emergency works notice, in the last six months
• Your deposit isn’t in a deposit protection scheme. In that case the landlord must return it to you before they can issue a Section 21
• The property is a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) but it doesn’t have a HMO licence from the council. In some areas all rented properties need a licence – check with your council
• The landlord has charged you illegal fees – such as a deposit worth more than five weeks rent, or admin fees. In this case they must return the money to you before serving a Section 21
• You never received key paperwork for the property – the Energy Performance Certificate, the ‘How to rent’ guide, and a gas safety certificate (if there is gas)

What to do if the Section 21 is valid

You don’t have to leave the property at the end of your Section 21 notice.

Your landlord still has to apply to court for a possession order and a warrant for eviction, to use court bailiffs to evict you.

If you are remaining in your property after the end of a Section 21 notice, make sure you inform your landlord and continue to pay rent while you look for another place to live.

If you can’t find somewhere to rent and are facing homelessness, tell your council immediately.

They should be able to advise you on what to do and provide emergency temporary accommodation or other support.

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