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RENTERS' RIGHTS BILL ADVANCES AS SECTION 21 EVICTIONS CONTINUE TO RISE
Renters' Rights Bill Makes Progress Through Parliament
The Renters' Rights Bill is making significant progress through Parliament, with the legislation successfully passing its second reading in the House of Lords on February 4th, 2025. After clearing the House of Commons on January 15th, the bill is now in committee stage in the Lords, with implementation of the Section 21 ban expected in summer 2025.
The urgency of reform is underscored by the latest Ministry of Justice figures, which reveal that Section 21 evictions reached a record high in 2023, with 32,387 households taken to court by their landlords. This represents a nearly 49% increase compared to the previous year. The first two months of 2025 have shown no sign of slowing, as landlords continue to use no-fault eviction powers ahead of the ban.
Housing experts suggest the approaching ban is contributing to the current surge, with some landlords accelerating eviction plans before the new legislation takes effect. The bill is expected to receive Royal Assent after Easter 2025, with implementation likely in July, based on statements from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Homelessness Impact Reaches New Heights
The human cost of the Section 21 crisis continues to grow, with Ministry of Justice data showing that almost 3,000 households were evicted by bailiffs due to Section 21 notices in the last quarter of 2024 alone. Homelessness charities report that the number of households threatened with homelessness due to no-fault evictions has more than tripled since 2020.
In 2024, approximately 27,450 households were threatened with homelessness as a direct result of receiving Section 21 notices, according to the latest government statistics. This represents a continued upward trend from the 25,910 households in the same position in 2023 and the 8,950 households in 2020. Housing charity Shelter has described the situation as "a national emergency" for vulnerable renters.
"The Renters' Rights Bill is too late for thousands of renters currently facing eviction. Every day that passes without Section 21 being abolished means more families face homelessness and housing insecurity. The government must expedite this vital reform - Shelter spokesperson, February 2025
Section 21 evictions continue to show significant regional variations. The latest data reveals London experiencing the highest increase at 41%, followed by the South East at 36%. Housing pressure in urban centers remains a key factor in these disparities, with areas of high housing demand seeing the most aggressive use of no-fault eviction powers.
The bill will affect an estimated 2.3 million landlords across England. While many landlords have expressed concerns about the removal of Section 21, the government has emphasized that the legislation includes new grounds for possession to protect landlords' legitimate interests, including provisions for selling properties and addressing anti-social behavior.
Renters Reform Bill Updates
Get all the updates about the Renters Rights Bill at a single place
Renters Rights Bill Stage: 9/08 – 9/9/2025
The Renters Rights Bill enters its final parliamentary stage on September 8, 2025, with the House of Commons set to consider critical amendments from the House of Lords. Royal Assent is expected before September 16, marking the end of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions and transforming tenancy rights for 11 million private renters across England.
Renters Rights Bill Stage: 17-23/7/2025
The Renters Rights Bill will not receive Royal Assent before Parliament’s summer recess, with final approval now scheduled for autumn 2025 following the “ping pong” process between Houses on September 8, 2025.
Renters Rights Bill Stage: 10-16/7/2025
The Renters Rights Bill enters its most critical phase during July 10-16, 2025, as the House of Lords conducts its final Report Stage debates. This landmark legislation, poised to transform the UK’s private rental sector, faces intense parliamentary scrutiny with Royal Assent timing now uncertain before the summer recess.
Renters Rights Bill Stage: 3-9/7/2025
The Renters Rights Bill has reached a pivotal moment in its parliamentary journey, with Stage 3 proceedings continuing in the House of Lords on July 9, 2025. This landmark legislation, set to transform the UK’s private rental sector, faces critical scrutiny as peers debate final amendments before the summer recess.
Renters Rights Bill Stage: 26/06 – 2/7 2025
The Renters Rights Bill enters its final parliamentary stages with Report Stage scheduled from July 1-15, 2025 in the House of Lords. However, the tight timeline means Royal Assent before summer recess (July 22) is now unlikely, potentially pushing final approval to autumn 2025.
Renters Rights Bill Stage: 19-25/06/2025
The Renters Rights Bill enters a critical phase as industry experts question whether the legislation can complete its parliamentary journey before the summer recess. With the Report Stage scheduled for July 1, 2025, and only three weeks remaining before MPs break for summer, the timeline has become increasingly compressed.
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