Evictions Rise Since Covid Ban Removed

When the first Covid lockdown began in March 2020, the government placed a ban on all landlord possession actions. This meant that private tenants were well protected against eviction throughout the height of the pandemic.

But now that the ban has been lifted, there has been a rise in the number of evictions carried out. 5,409 people were forced out of rented properties in England and Wales during the last three months of 2022 alone.

Impact of rising interest rates

As interest rates go up, many UK landlords are struggling to deal with the ever-increasing cost of maintaining a rental property.

Last year, the Bank of England warned that buy-to-let investors were especially vulnerable to rising interest rates. They estimated that if property landlords were to offset projected mortgage costs, they would need to “increase their rental income by around 20%”.

As a result, some landlords have been facing the decision of whether to increase their tenants’ rent or sell the property altogether. Both of these options have a significant impact on renters who could be left with nowhere to go.

“Lack of understanding” from some landlords

It’s undeniable that landlords have been facing financial pressures. But the charity Housing Matters has argued that there is also a general “lack of understanding from many landlords” about the impact an eviction can have on a family.

Many tenants are given little notice or reasoning for their eviction and face an almost impossible challenge of trying to find somewhere else to rent at a price they can afford. And while local councils can provide emergency accommodation, this is only a temporary solution.

What is the law around evictions?

Although landlords have a right to evict tenants when it’s necessary, there are laws that dictate the way that this should be done.

Most importantly, tenants should be given written notice of the eviction. It will be set out in your tenancy agreement how long the notice period will be.

If your landlord is evicting you during your contract, they must also have a reason as to why you’re being asked to leave the property. This can include:

• Anti-social or criminal behaviour
• A breach of the terms in your tenancy agreement
• Rent arrears

At the end of your contract, your landlord does not need to provide a reason for the eviction. But there are proposals to change this under a new Renters’ Reform Bill.

Facing eviction can be highly stressful, especially if your landlord is not complying with the law. If you’re in a dispute with your landlord, our expert property solicitors could help. Get in touch to find out more.