New data released by the Ministry of Justice reveals that repossession claims against private renters due to section 21 no-fault evictions reached 7,962 in the last quarter. This brings the total number of such claims since 2019, when the Government pledged to abolish section 21 evictions, to 96,927.

This data was released following the second reading of the Renters (Reform) Bill in the House of Lords. The bill aims to abolish section 21 evictions.

In April, renters’ groups expressed their concerns, stating that the bill “will be a failure in its current form” due to multiple concessions made to the landlord lobby. They argue that it “preserves the central power imbalance at the root of why renting in England is in crisis.”

Tom Darling, campaign manager of the Renters’ Reform Coalition, commented: “These figures are a bleak illustration of the scale of England’s renting crisis – nearly 100,000 section 21 evictions taken through court since the government promised to abolish the practice in 2019.”

He further stated, “Out of control evictions and soaring rents are creating unprecedented levels of homelessness and social misery.”

Darling also noted the issues with the current bill, saying, “Meanwhile the only piece of legislation which could improve private renting has been massively watered down after the government caved in to landlord interests.”

He concluded with a call to action for the House of Lords: “As currently drafted the Renters (Reform) Bill will fail to deliver for renters. The House of Lords offers a last opportunity to fix the bill and address our broken renting system – peers must support amendments that give England’s renters the security and peace of mind they have every right to.”

The significant number of section 21 evictions since 2019 underscores the ongoing challenges in the renting sector. The progression of the Renters (Reform) Bill through the House of Lords is a crucial moment for potential changes in renters' rights in England.