Plymouth families have faced threat of no-fault evictions since Conservative Government promised ban

New analysis from Plymouth Labour – based on new figures published by the Ministry of Justice this month – reveals there are now 535 local families who have faced proceedings to eject them from their home in the years since the Tories promised to ban the practice in April 2019, part of an ever-growing number across the country now approaching 90,000 households.

‘No-fault evictions’, also known as Section 21 notices, allow landlords to order tenants to leave with a minimum of two months’ warning – without having to prove that the tenant is at fault. The figure is based on the number of no-fault eviction letters that have been followed up with a possession claim in the courts. The true scale of the problem could be far worse, as not all Section 21 notices will necessarily reach this stage.

There are 27,824 households privately renting in Plymouth – each and every one still vulnerable to no fault evictions almost five years after the Conservative Government promised to stamp them out.

Labour has called for real action to support renters including a Renters’ Charter, providing new certainty for renters, ending ‘no-fault’ evictions and introducing four-month notice periods for landlords.

Publishing the analysis, Plymouth Labour’s Cllr Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing, Co-operative Development and Communities. said: “Labour has been calling for an end to no-fault evictions for years – but the Conservatives have failed to act leaving Plymouth’s 27,824 private renters at risk. 

“It is now getting on for five years since the Tories promised action – and it’s frankly no surprise they have failed to deliver. Their utter incompetence is damaging lives. From sewage in our waterways to waiting lists to protection for renters the Conservative Government can’t seem to get anything right – and the rest of us are paying the price.

“Families in Plymouth need protection from the threat of having their lives thrown upside down through no fault evictions – and Labour will provide it. In Plymouth the top cause of people presenting as homeless is a Section 21 notice. Our plan for a Renters’ Charter will give real certainty for renters and help reduce homelessness. 

“It’s time to end 14 years of Tory failure, chaos and confusion. That change can only come with an election and a Labour Government.”