A London Assembly member is urging the Government to ban no-fault evictions after figures revealed more than 100 households faced homelessness because of them last year.

Section 21 notices, commonly known as “no-fault evictions”, enable landlords to evict tenants without giving a reason and with only two months’ notice. They provide an opportunity to get rid of tenants who request repair work or challenge imposed rent increases.

Figures released by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities show that Harrow Council identified more than 100 individuals and families who were threatened with homelessness in 2022-23 – an increase of 47 per cent on the previous year.

The data accounts for only those residents who approached Harrow Council for support, not the total number of Section 21 notices issued. The Government first pledged to abolish no-fault evictions in 2019.

The Renters Reform Bill, finally tabled by the government in May, seeks to ban Section 21 notices but had not progressed further, sparking fears the legislation had been scrapped.

It now appears that the bill will get a second reading in the House of Commons next week (October 23), according to the Financial Times. 

Earlier this week, Harrow and Brent’s representative in the Greater London Assembly (GLA), Krupesh Hirani AM, had urged the government to bring it back to parliament for the next stage. He said: “Tenants should have the right to a secure home and a stable life, free from the anxiety of being evicted for no justifiable reason.”

He added: “260 residents and families in Harrow have found themselves facing homelessness during this time. This did not need to happen. The Government must bring forward legislation to end section 21 notices and address the crisis in housing urgently.”

No-fault evictions account for 17 per cent of households threatened with homelessness in London, according to data released by the GLA. The figures show that 4,240 households across the capital are having to access council services to help find somewhere to live after being forced to leave the private rented sector.

A spokesperson for the London Renters Union said: “While landlords in government block renter legislation, more and more of our members are being kicked out of their homes. These evictions are for demanding basic repairs, or because landlords, many without mortgages, are hiking rents.”

They added: “Abolishing Section 21 is good for renters, good for councils, good for public health and the economy – the only people it isn’t good for is a minority of landlords who still call the shots in 21st century Britain. Renters unions pressured the government into introducing the Renters Reform Bill, but unless we keep up the pressure it’ll just be another empty promise.”

Harrow Council was approached for comment but did not respond ahead of publication.