A petition calling for changes to the UK’s eviction laws has now surpassed 10,000 signatures, yet the government has still not issued a response. Launched earlier this month by landlord Craig Littlejohn, the petition urges reforms to protect landlords and improve the eviction process following the abolition of Section 21 under the Renters’ Rights Act.
The petition, titled “Require faster eviction process, and improve protections for landlords in PRS”, lays out three main proposals. Firstly, it calls for a six-week fast-track court process for evictions based on mandatory grounds, such as rent arrears or anti-social behaviour. Currently, landlords must rely solely on Section 8 for these cases. According to the Ministry of Justice, the average eviction under Section 8 takes over 27 weeks, leaving landlords exposed to extended periods of lost rental income and property damage, while tenants in violation of their agreements continue to occupy the property.
Secondly, the petition requests the creation of a centralised database of court-evicted tenants. This tool would help landlords identify repeat offenders and make more informed letting decisions, reducing the risk of further disputes or financial losses. Currently, landlords have limited visibility of tenants with a history of eviction, meaning those who repeatedly cause issues can continue to move between rental properties without being flagged.
Thirdly, the petition advocates for raising the deposit cap to ensure landlords are better protected against severe property damage. Under the current system, deposit limits may not fully cover the costs of repairs or losses caused by negligent or malicious tenants. By increasing the cap, the petition argues, landlords could recover more of the costs incurred during tenancy disputes, offering a more sustainable rental market.
Despite exceeding the 10,000-signature threshold—which ordinarily triggers a written response from the government—no reply has been received. Landlord Today reached out to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for clarification, but the government has remained silent. The delay has raised frustration among landlords, many of whom feel that the current system is unfair and overly slow, particularly in cases of tenants who breach their tenancy agreements.
The significance of this petition extends beyond individual landlords. The housing market relies on a balance between tenant protections and landlord rights to ensure the supply of rental properties remains healthy. Prolonged eviction processes can discourage landlords from offering rental properties, potentially limiting available housing options for tenants in the private rental sector.
Craig Littlejohn emphasised the urgency of the proposed reforms, stating: “The abolition of Section 21 has left law-abiding landlords with limited options. Evicting tenants under Section 8 takes far too long, and the current system punishes landlords for circumstances beyond their control. We need faster, fairer processes to protect both landlords and tenants.”
The petition continues to gain momentum, with many property professionals highlighting the difficulties of long eviction timelines, potential financial losses, and the stress of dealing with problematic tenants. Industry leaders have suggested that introducing a fast-track process would benefit not only landlords but also tenants, as it could reduce lengthy court delays and allow issues to be resolved more swiftly.
Reaching 100,000 signatures would escalate the petition further, obliging Parliament to consider the issue for debate. This milestone is a key target, as it could push government ministers to take action on landlord concerns and explore policy changes. The petition’s supporters argue that by modernising the eviction process, the government could restore confidence in the private rental sector while maintaining tenant protections.
As the petition continues to grow, the property sector watches closely. Many landlords are hoping the government will address their concerns promptly, ensuring that rental agreements are enforceable in a timely and effective manner. With housing affordability and supply continuing to be major issues in the UK, the balance between tenant rights and landlord protections is more important than ever.
Landlords, tenants, and other interested parties can still add their support to the petition, which can be found here. Whether the government responds immediately or waits until the petition reaches the next milestone, the ongoing discussion highlights the evolving challenges facing the rental sector and the need for reforms that support a fair and functioning housing market.
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