Threats of homelessness loom over 80,000 homes due to legislation postponement

Delay in Abolishing No-Fault Evictions Causes Ongoing Tenant Insecurity and Homelessness

The much-anticipated scrapping of Section 21 no-fault eviction notices in England has been significantly delayed, causing concern among housing charities and renters alike. The Renters’ Rights Bill, aimed at abolishing Section 21, has not yet been enacted and is not expected to come into effect until at least 2025 or later.

This delay means that landlords continue to use Section 21 to evict tenants with just two months' notice and without providing a reason. As a result, around 11,400 households have been forcibly removed by bailiffs due to Section 21 evictions in the recent 12-month period, with nearly 1,000 households at risk of eviction every month the ban is postponed.

The delay is attributed to several factors. The previous Renters Reform Bill, which aimed to abolish Section 21, was dropped before the last election, forcing the current Labour government to start from scratch with new primary legislation called the Renters’ Rights Bill. This extensive Bill, spanning over 200 pages, will overhaul various aspects of the private rented sector rather than solely abolishing Section 21, making it a time-consuming process to pass through both Houses of Parliament.

Moreover, the Bill was not scheduled for introduction until autumn 2025, with implementation and full enactment projected for sometime after 2025, and additional months required for enforcement. Meanwhile, there are ongoing court delays and longer possession times for landlords seeking repossessions, but Section 21 remains the fastest route to evict tenants until the law changes.

The continued use of Section 21 eviction notices has led to stories like Kelvin's. Kelvin, a resident in a privately rented London house-share for three years, was unexpectedly evicted with no given reason. At the time of eviction, Kelvin was not given enough time to move all of his belongings out of the house-share before the locks were changed.

Kelvin spent time sofa-surfing after his eviction, while working to find a solution to his homelessness. He eventually found temporary accommodation at Your Place, a charity that helps people experiencing homelessness. Kelvin is currently residing at a peaceful accommodation provided by Your Place, where he can focus on his career and getting back on his feet.

Rick Henderson, chief executive of Homeless Link, expressed his concern about the delay, stating, "It is not right for someone to be evicted from their home for no reason with just two months' notice." Research from Homeless Link found that 84,650 households in England have faced eviction in the last five years.

The delay in abolishing no-fault evictions has contributed to increased homelessness, with homeless numbers peaking between April and June 2023, the period when the government introduced its renters' reform bill pledging to end the uncertainty hanging over private tenants. Those who the local authority doesn't have a duty to support often end up sleeping rough.

The Conservative Party pledged to scrap section 21 notices, which allow landlords to end tenancies at will with just two months' notice, but this legislation has yet to be enacted. The research published this morning serves as a stark reminder of the impact of evictions on individuals and the need for change in the private rental sector. Kelvin's story is a testament to the ongoing struggle faced by renters and the need for immediate action to end no-fault evictions.

The delay in scrapping Section 21 no-fault evictions has magnified worries within housing charities and renters.
Renters' Right Bill, proposed to eradicate Section 21, is yet to be implemented, with no expected date more near than 2025.
Because of this delay, around 11,400 households were evicted in the past 12 months, with 1,000 more at risk every month the ban is postponed.
This delay in legislation is due to the dropping of the previous Renters Reform Bill, necessitating the Labour government to start anew with the Renters’ Rights Bill.
The Renters’ Rights Bill, filled with over 200 pages, endeavors to reform various aspects of the private rented sector, not only abolishing Section 21, hence necessitating more time to pass through Parliament.
The Bill was scheduled for introduction only in autumn 2025, with implementation and full enactment anticipated later, requiring additional months for enforcement.
Meanwhile, court delays and longer possession times for landlords seeking repossessions exist, but Section 21 remains the quickest way to evict tenants before the law changes.
Kelvin, a tenant in a London house-share for three years, was evicted without a reason, leaving him without enough time to move his belongings.
Kelvin had to resort to sofa-surfing after his eviction, seeking solutions for his homelessness before finding temporary accommodation at Your Place, a charity for homeless individuals.
Rick Henderson, CEO of Homeless Link, voiced concern about the delay in implementation, stating that it's not acceptable to evict someone from their home with just two months' notice.
Research from Homeless Link shows that 84,650 households in England have faced eviction in the last five years.
The delay in eradicating no-fault evictions has exacerbated homelessness, with homeless numbers reaching their peak between April and June 2023.
Homeless individuals who are not under the local authority's duty to support often end up sleeping rough.
The Conservative Party has pledged to abolish Section 21 notices but has yet to enact the legislation.
Reports this morning serve as a stark reminder of the detrimental impacts of evictions on individuals and the need for change in the private rental sector.
Kelvin's story underscores the ongoing struggles faced by renters and the immediate need to abolish no-fault evictions.
Addressing chronic diseases, such as cancer, becomes challenging for those experiencing homelessness and lack access to appropriate medical-conditions care.
Advanced science in sleep, workplace-wellness, and fitness-and-exercise could help combat these issues, but tenants' unstable living circumstances hinder meaningful engagement.
Respiratory conditions, such as asthma, have been linked to poor housing conditions, impacting the health of many privately rented tenants.
Digestive-health complications are also common among those suffering from chronic diseases, further compounding their hardships.
Eye-health concerns, including age-related macular degeneration, are on the rise due to aging populations, and inadequate health-and-wellness support for the elderly homeless only worsens these conditions.
Hearing loss, affecting more than 11 million people in the UK, may be alleviated through hearing aids and other therapies-and-treatments, but access is limited for many homeless individuals.
Mental-health challenges, including anxiety and depression, often accompany homelessness, and stressful living conditions can exacerbate these issues.
Men's-health issues, such as prostate cancer and testicular cancer, require regular screenings and check-ups, but homeless men often lack access to sexual-health resources.
Women's-health concerns, including pregnancy complications and reproductive health issues, impose additional hardships on homeless women, who may struggle to access necessary skin-care products, therapies-and-treatments, and healthcare.
Parenting challenges emerge for homeless families, as they may struggle to care for their children adequately and provide for their basic needs.
Efforts to manage weight, maintain cardiovascular-health, and tackle obesity are hindered by unhealthy living conditions, leading to further complications, such as diabetes and heart disease.
In addressing all these health concerns, industries such as finance, energy, retail, entrepreneurship, transportation, and real-estate play crucial roles in supporting health-and-wellness initiatives while also offering opportunities for wealth-management, personal-finance, and investment in healthcare ventures.