London Mayor criticises Government for ‘broken promises’ on no-fault evictions ban

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has heavily criticised the Government over its failure to introduce a promised ban on section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, after Ministry of Justice data revealed a 62% increase in such claims against renters in the capital in the last year.

The MoJ data indicated that the number of ‘no-fault eviction’ claims in London rose from 7,057 in 2022 to 11,457 in 2023, according to City Hall.

The Mayor’s office said there were fears that the prospect of no-fault evictions becoming illegal “could be fuelling a spike in the practice as landlords act now to avoid the ban”.

Separate research by City Hall suggested that more than 30,000 renting households in the capital had faced a section 21 claim since ministers first pledged to outlaw them in 2019.

Sadiq Khan said: “Once again London’s 2.7m private renters are left with the threat of eviction hanging over their heads due to ministers’ broken promises.

“Any sense of relief we felt when the Renters Reform Bill finally limped into Parliament last year has now been washed away by months of dither and delay, followed by reports of the promised reforms now being watered down beyond recognition.

“Meanwhile, in the real world, London renters are losing their homes at a rapidly increasing rate both from the still-legal Section 21 and the actions of unscrupulous rogue landlords.”

He added: “The Government must see renter rights as a priority and get this Bill into law as a matter of the highest priority.”

Last month the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, committed in a BBC interview to introducing the proposed ban on section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions before the next general election.

In October 2023 the Government had said it would delay commencement of the ban in the Renters’ Reform Bill until stronger possession grounds and a new court process were in place.

A Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokesperson said: “Our landmark Renters (Reform) Bill will deliver a fairer private rented sector for both tenants and landlords. It will abolish section 21 evictions – giving people more security in their homes and empowering them to challenge poor practices.

“We continue to meet regularly with a range of groups, representing all those in the private rented sector."

Harry Rodd