Charities and tenant unions report a surge in no-fault evictions as landlords rush to evict tenants before the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force on 1 May 2026. The act will abolish Section 21 of the Housing Act, which currently allows landlords to evict without giving a reason.
Acorn, a renters’ union, said no-fault evictions made up one in five reports from members in October, rising to nearly one in three by January. A spokesperson said: “This isn’t a coincidence. Landlords are clearly rushing to force through last-minute evictions before the ban comes into force.”
Kim Mansell, 36, has lived in Lady Florence Courtyard in Lewisham for five years and now checks her letterbox daily for a possession order. Her landlord is the 999 Club, a London homelessness charity. After an 11% rent increase last year, she was served a no-fault eviction notice in June. The charity has since advertised her flat at 36% more than she pays. The 999 Club said: “We have never evicted anyone as a means to increase rents.”
Hugh Wilkinson, head of housing at the Central England Law Centre, said he has seen many long-term tenants shocked by sudden evictions. “The court won’t take into account the fairness of it,” he said. Isaac Rose, 33, an organiser for the Greater Manchester Tenants Union, was served a Section 21 eviction after disputing a 29% rent increase. He said: “Once section 21 is abolished, it would be a lot harder and slower to get us out.”
Meera Chindooroy of the National Residential Landlords Association said landlords are considering whether to continue tenancies after May, citing concerns about rent arrears or antisocial behaviour. Shelter called the pre-ban evictions “outrageous” and said they highlight the need for reform. Proceedings initiated before 1 May 2026 will still be allowed to continue under the old rules.
