Charities have reported a surge in no-fault evictions as landlords rush to remove tenants before the practice is outlawed in England next month. The Renters’ Rights Act, effective from 1 May 2026, will abolish Section 21 of the Housing Act, which currently allows eviction without justification.
The renters’ union Acorn 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 Lewisham for five years and now checks her letterbox daily for a possession order. Her landlord is the 999 Club, a homelessness charity, which increased her rent by 11% and then served a no-fault eviction notice. The charity has since advertised her flat at a 36% higher rent. The 999 Club said it has 'never evicted anyone as a means to increase rents' and only takes enforcement action after 'robust legal advice'.
Hugh Wilkinson, head of housing at Central England Law Centre, said he has seen many long-term tenants shocked by unexpected evictions. Isaac Rose, 33, an organiser for the Greater Manchester Tenants Union, was served a Section 21 notice after disputing a 29% rent increase. He said: 'It’s pretty clear that they did that because of the change in the law.'
Meera Chindooroy of the National Residential Landlords Association said landlords are considering whether to continue tenancies after May. Shelter called the rush 'especially outrageous', adding: 'It just goes to show how vital these new changes are for renters.' Proceedings initiated before 1 May will still be allowed to continue.
