The outgoing chief executive of Shelter, Polly Neate, has voiced serious concerns over the rising number of evictions in England, claiming that tenants are being “marched out of their homes in their thousands.” Her comments come after the release of troubling government data that paints a stark picture of the housing situation in the country.
According to the latest figures from the Ministry of Justice, 2,830 households were forcibly removed from their homes by bailiffs as a result of Section 21 no-fault evictions between July and September. This represents a significant 23% increase compared to the same period last year, highlighting a sharp rise in the number of tenants facing eviction without the landlord needing to provide a specific reason.
These numbers are part of a broader trend reflected in the same data, which also shows that 8,425 landlords in England started Section 21 eviction proceedings during the same three-month period. This marks the highest number of Section 21 evictions in the past eight years, suggesting that more and more tenants are finding themselves at risk of being removed from their homes.
Shelter has long advocated for greater protection for tenants, and these statistics underline the growing pressure on renters across England. The rise in evictions, particularly in the context of a housing crisis, has sparked fears that the government’s current measures are insufficient to address the needs of vulnerable tenants. Neate’s comments are a call to action, urging both policymakers and the public to recognise the urgency of the situation and take steps to protect renters from losing their homes.
Polly Neate, the outgoing chief executive of Shelter, argues that Section 21 evictions are a major contributing factor to households facing homelessness. She points out that these evictions allow landlords to remove tenants with just two months’ notice and without needing to provide a valid reason, which places many renters at a significant disadvantage.
Neate calls on the government to strengthen the Renters Rights Bill, which is due for its Third Reading in the House of Commons. She believes this legislation is crucial in providing greater protection for tenants and addressing the growing housing insecurity in the country.
In her statement, Neate emphasises the urgency of passing the Renters Rights Bill, stating, “With renters being marched out of their homes in their thousands, passing the Renters Rights Bill and closing the book on the gross injustice of no-fault evictions can’t come soon enough.” She stresses that immediate action is needed to prevent further harm to renters who are already facing an uncertain future.
Polly Neate, the outgoing chief executive of Shelter, has expressed cautious optimism about the Renters Rights Bill, describing it as a much-needed step forward for tenants. She acknowledges that the proposed Bill marks an important change in the housing landscape, particularly with the planned abolition of Section 21, which has long allowed landlords to evict tenants without providing any reason. However, Neate raises concerns that the Bill does not go far enough in addressing other critical issues faced by renters.
One of Neate’s key concerns is the provision that still allows landlords to raise rents without restriction, which she believes will continue to price tenants out of their homes. While the removal of Section 21 would prevent landlords from evicting tenants at will, the fear of unaffordable rent increases remains a significant issue for those already struggling to meet their rent payments. Neate warns that, without further reforms, renters will continue to face uncertainty and insecurity, even after the proposed legislation comes into effect.
“If the government truly wants the Renters Rights Bill to be transformative,” Neate argues, “it must go further and introduce rent controls to protect tenants from steep rent hikes during their tenancies.” She suggests that rent increases should be capped in line with inflation or wage growth, which would provide a safeguard for renters and ensure that housing remains affordable in an increasingly volatile market. According to Neate, this would make renting not just more secure, but also more sustainable in the long term.
Furthermore, Shelter highlights the alarming number of renters who are already being forced out of their homes due to unaffordable rent hikes. The charity claims that over the past year, an estimated 60,000 renters in England have been displaced because they could no longer afford the increased rent demanded by their landlords. This statistic underscores the urgent need for stronger protections for renters and for the government to act decisively in regulating rent increases.
In conclusion, while the Renters Rights Bill is a step in the right direction, Neate believes it is not enough to provide the long-term security and stability that renters desperately need. To truly address the housing crisis and prevent further displacement, the government must take more comprehensive action to control rent increases and provide renters with the financial security they deserve. Until these measures are in place, many renters will continue to live in fear of losing their homes due to unaffordable rent hikes.
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