The Data on Eviction Notices
In the current climate, MPs have warned that the government is not doing enough to address the housing crisis. Data shows that eviction rates have doubled, and the risk of homelessness is therefore on the rise. The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee warned that the Westminster government’s proposed rental reforms risk being undermined by a clogged court system. Still, thousands more landlords are applying to evict their tenants. Reforms need to be started to prevent the situation from getting any worse.
Scrapping ‘No Fault’ Evictions
In terms of reforms, scrapping ‘no fault’ evictions – which allows landlords to evict tenants at a short notice without giving a reason – is among many of the proposals in the Renters Reform Bill. Though the legislation is still yet to be introduced to Parliament. This was promised back in April 2019 when Theresa May was prime minister, and there has yet to be any movement on this.
Increasing Possession Claims
The government has repeatedly rejected the idea of a specialist housing court. However, new figures show huge increases in the number of possession claims, orders, and warrants heading through the system. Committee chair Clive Betts claims that “it’s not clear that the government fully appreciates that a creaking and unreformed courts system in England risks undermining their tenancy reforms, including the welcome idea to ban ‘no fault’ evictions. For landlords and tenants, it is vital that the government now finds a practical way forward to enable courts to fast-track claims.”
Repossessions more than doubled in the last quarter of 2022. To 5,409 between October and December compared to 2,729 in the same period in 2021. Mortgage repossessions have also surged, too. Up 134 per cent compared to the same time last year. As a result, the number of claims to courts from landlords asking for homes to be repossessed increased from 42 percent in the space of a year.
The Spring Budget
Chief executive of Crisis, Matt Downie has said that the government must raise housing benefits in the Spring budget. This would be a way to prevent evictions from rising further. The government needs to act before any more people are forced into homelessness. Landlords and tenants are still waiting for these reforms to be implemented. And, for parliament to remove the measures from the statute book. The devastating impact of the cost-of-living crisis, rising rents, and low wages have caused thousands more renters to be faced with the threat of homelessness. We at Woodstock Legal Services, advise that landlords communicate with their tenants instead of going straight to eviction. For more information or advice on how to do this, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Contact us today if you are a Landlord looking for help.
