Homelessness rises as government drags feet on scrapping no-fault evictions

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The number of people made homeless by landlords issuing no-fault eviction notices rose last year as the government stalled in banning the practice, new figures show officials.

The plan to scrap so-called Section 21 deportations was first announced more than four years ago by Prime Minister Theresa May, but ministers have yet to even publish legislation for MPs to vote on.

Now new figures released by the Government on Wednesday show that 24,060 households have been at risk of homelessness in England as a result of 21 notice in 2022, 50% more than in 2021.

A total of 290,330 households experienced homelessness in 2022, up 6% from compared to the previous year.

Under "no-fault" eviction notices, a landlord can ask a tenant to leave with just two months' notice and without having to give a reason.

The government says its next tenant reform bill will remove sweeping powers, but it has yet to materialize.

“As a tenant, you have no right to say anything. I have been evicted from my home for 15 years for complaining after not trying anywhere to resolve the issues with the property,” said Anna, 44, who was served notice by her rental agent under Section 21 in March 2022 after complaining of dilapidation. in her privately rented home.

Anna has lived in the Manchester estate with her adult daughter for 15 years, works part-time and struggles to find accommodation to rent.

"I've always paid my rent on time. I've tried to make this place a home, not just a house that we rent. But now we're going to end up on the street just because we asked for a shower broken that left us without hot water for a week to fix.

"Every time I call to inquire about a new place, the rental agents ask if you are applying for benefits or if you have a guarantor. And each time the door slams in my face. If we can't rent elsewhere, that leaves us no choice but the street. I'm worried, I can't sleep and I don't feel like I can cry anymore.

"The owners have all the power, and that's not right. There are a lot of people in a similar situation to me and the government is not doing enough to help us. the government to hold his promise to ban the power of expulsion.

"For too long the priv...