The government has reiterated its position that landlords should not be evicting tenants ahead of the upcoming Renters’ Rights Act, stressing that there is no justification for taking action before the new rules come into force. The message is part of a wider effort to reassure renters and encourage stability across the private rental sector as significant changes approach.
This stance was outlined in response to a written parliamentary question, where Baroness Taylor of Stevenage made it clear that tenants should be given the level of housing security they deserve. According to the government, the transition to the new system should not come at the expense of renters being forced out of their homes unnecessarily.
The issue was raised by Conservative peer Lord Jamieson, who questioned whether the government had assessed the risk of landlords carrying out pre-emptive evictions. He also asked what steps were being taken to engage with landlords or organisations that might be considering such actions before the formal end of no-fault evictions.
In her response, Baroness Taylor emphasised that the government does not see a need for landlords to act early. She pointed to the planned abolition of Section 21 notices, which is due to take effect on 1 May, and made it clear that landlords are expected to wait for the legislation rather than move ahead of it.
The government’s position is that the new framework will still allow landlords to regain possession of their properties where there is a valid and lawful reason. This includes situations such as selling the property or dealing with tenancy breaches. As a result, there should be no incentive for landlords to rush evictions before the changes are implemented.
Officials have also stressed that they will continue to work closely with the sector in the lead-up to the deadline. This includes engaging with landlords, letting agents, and industry groups to ensure that the shift to the new tenancy system is handled smoothly and without disruption.
Part of this effort is focused on preventing avoidable evictions. The government wants to ensure that tenants are not displaced unnecessarily, particularly at a time when the housing market remains under pressure and finding alternative accommodation can be challenging.
Recent data has been used to support the government’s view that there is no surge in evictions taking place. According to figures released by the Ministry of Justice, there was a 17% drop in accelerated Section 21 possession claims in England during the final quarter of 2025, compared with the same period the previous year.
This decline suggests that, at least at a national level, eviction activity may be easing rather than increasing. It also supports the argument that landlords are not widely acting ahead of the ban.
However, not all organisations agree with this interpretation. Tenant advocacy group Acorn has reported a different trend based on its own member data. According to the group, nearly one-third of cases it has handled this year involve no-fault eviction notices.
This represents an increase from around 21% recorded in the autumn, leading to concerns that some landlords may still be attempting to act before the legislation takes full effect. These claims highlight a gap between official data and on-the-ground experiences reported by tenants.
The difference in perspectives has added to the debate around how the sector is responding to the upcoming changes. While the government maintains that there is no widespread issue, tenant groups argue that early signs of concern should not be ignored.
The Renters’ Rights Act itself represents a significant shift in how tenancies are managed in England. The removal of Section 21 no-fault evictions is one of its central features, aimed at providing tenants with greater long-term security.
Under the new system, landlords will still have the ability to regain possession, but only under clearly defined and legally supported grounds. This is intended to create a more balanced relationship between landlords and tenants, while reducing the risk of sudden or unjustified evictions.
As the implementation date approaches, attention is increasingly focused on how both sides of the market are preparing. For landlords, this means understanding the new rules and ensuring compliance. For tenants, it raises questions about security and whether they will be affected during the transition period.
The government’s repeated messaging is designed to provide reassurance. By stating that there is no need for early evictions, it aims to discourage unnecessary action and maintain stability within the sector.
At the same time, continued engagement with industry stakeholders is expected to play a key role in ensuring that the transition is managed effectively. This includes addressing concerns, clarifying expectations, and providing guidance where needed.
Despite the differing views, it is clear that the period leading up to the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act is being closely monitored. Both official data and reports from tenant groups will continue to shape the conversation around how the changes are affecting the market.
For now, the government’s position remains firm. Landlords are being urged to hold off on evictions and allow the new system to come into place as intended, with the expectation that it will deliver greater fairness and stability for tenants in the long term.
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