Running counter to predictions from landlord lobbyists, the latest data from the Ministry of Justice paints a more subdued picture: landlord possession claims have actually declined. Specifically, the first quarter of the year saw a 4% drop compared to the same stretch in 2024. This development coincides with a pivotal moment in Parliament—the Renters’ Rights Bill, now moving through its committee stage in the House of Lords.

The numbers challenge a prevailing narrative. Landlord groups had warned of a looming avalanche of evictions, timed to precede the implementation of long-debated reforms. But the evidence suggests otherwise—at least for now.

This has only strengthened calls from housing advocates to accelerate the legislative process. Chief among their demands: immediate enactment of a full ban on Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, a provision central to the proposed Bill. The Renters’ Reform Coalition (RRC), a prominent campaign alliance, has thrown its support behind a bold amendment introduced by Big Issue founder Lord John Bird. His proposal would see the abolition of Section 21 evictions take effect the moment the Bill receives royal assent.

“It has been 2,221 days since a UK government first promised to abolish no-fault evictions. Six years, four prime ministers and a change of government later, we’re still waiting for that promise to be fulfilled," said Lord Bird.

“The amendment I’ve raised is imperative for ensuring that there is no further delay. I call on my fellow peers to back my proposal to ban section 21 as soon as legislatively possible when the Renters’ Rights Bill finally assents later this year.”

Yet, despite this momentum, the Bill remains in a precarious position. The House of Lords, where the Government holds no majority, could yet frustrate progress. Among the most contentious ideas floating in the chamber: permitting landlords to demand multiple months’ rent upfront—a practice the current draft seeks to outlaw. Further complicating matters, it emerged in March that Conservative peer Baroness Scott had engaged in dialogue with landlord representatives, reportedly exploring avenues for mounting legal challenges to the Bill.

Campaigners, however, are pressing the Government to resist such backsliding. Tom Darling, director of the RRC, made his case in no uncertain terms: “Homelessness, ill health, anxiety, poverty – the state of private renting in England is responsible for so much misery. And section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions are right at the heart of this broken system. Now it is clear that landlord groups’ warnings of a last minute eviction surge is not taking place, the Government should press on and abolish section 21 immediately once the Bill is passed.”

Darling didn’t stop there. He cautioned against political timidity, warning that pro-landlord tweaks at the Report stage could strip the Bill of its efficacy.

“In its current form, the Renters’ Rights Bill should make a real difference to renters, but it could be undermined by pro-landlord amendments at Report stage. If this happens the Government must strip out any hostile amendments with its Commons majority.

“These long-awaited reforms have strong public support from all sides – to allow the Bill to be watered down at the 11th hour would not only be a shocking betrayal of renters, it would also be terrible politics.”

The urgency is underscored by staggering figures: since the Government—under then-Prime Minister Theresa May—first vowed to eliminate Section 21 in 2019, more than 120,000 households have reportedly received such eviction notices. For those families, the wait has been long, and the stakes remain high.