Bolton's tenants safer as government promises to scrap no-fault evictions

The Renters Reform Bill announced in the  Queen's speech (May 10) by Prince Charles will seek to enhance the standards and rights for tenants in the private and socially rented sector.

It came just days after new data from the Department for Levelling Up revealed that renters in 29 households in Bolton were made homeless or put at risk of homelessness between October and December last year after being served with Section 21 notices – otherwise known as ‘no-fault evictions'.

The government had previously promised that Section 21 notices would be repealed, however, the pandemic interrupted the progress that was being made.

The reform will ban Section 21 ‘no-fault evictions’, protecting tenants from unscrupulous landlords, while allowing for speedier and more streamlined processes for landlords to evict tenants in rent arrears or who breach the terms of their tenancy in other ways.

The Prince of Wales announced the Renters Reform Bill during the Queen's speech yesterday (May 10). Credit: PA

The announcement also pledged that, for the first time, it will give all renters the legal right to a safe and warm home.

Richard Wilkinson, CEO of Citizens Advice Bolton and Bury said: “We provide advice and assistance to approximately 100 people per month, of which 20 to 30 per month are tenants in the private sector at risk from eviction.

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“Section 21 is the biggest cause of evictions and homelessness. Under Section 21 a tenant, promptly paying rent and abiding by all conditions of tenancy, can lose their home. 

“The current position leaves every single private-sector tenant in Bolton with the worry that this can happen at any time.”

Richard Wilkinson

Richard described a recent situation that faced Sarah, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, and her two children.

A nurse at Royal Bolton Hospital and otherwise model, rent-paying tenant, Sarah complained to her landlord about a damp problem she was having. The next day, she was served a Section 21 eviction notice - she had been living in the property for 12 years. 

Richards's team helped delay the eviction, but ultimately Sarah and her children had to move into local authority housing, which mean they were no longer in close proximity to the children’s schools or to her parents who helped with childcare.

She was later dismayed to see her original home back on the market for rent at £250-per-month more than she had been previously paying, and well out of her price range.

Richard added: “We see a number of cases like this each year, and therefore welcome the bringing forward of new the new bill that will mean that people like Sarah and her children can be protected and can live in their private sector rented homes without the fear of eviction at any moment.”

The government says that of the 4.4m households currently renting across England, 21 per cent are of an “unacceptable standard”.

Levelling Up and Housing Secretary Michael Gove said: “Too many renters are living in damp, unsafe and cold homes, powerless to put it right, and under the threat of sudden eviction.

Michael Gove. Credit: PA

“The new deal for renters announced today will help to end this injustice, improving conditions and rights for millions of renters.

“This is all part of our plan to level up communities and improve the life chances of people from all corners of the country.”