Today, the Ministry of Justice has released new figures on the numbers of evictions served in England and Wales between April-June 2023.

The figures show that the number of private sector eviction claims are at their highest rate in eight years at 15,061 claims. This includes:

• No-fault Section 21 notices at their highest point in six years
  • This is an increase of 7,760 (34%) on the same period last year
• Private landlords eviction claims that aren’t S21 are at their highest point since data collection began
  • This is an increase of 7,301 (14%) on the same period last year
  • Reasons for notices being served include people falling into rent arrears

Additionally, the number of actual repossessions carried out by bailiffs increased by 19% to 5,868 over the 3-month period.

Francesca Albanese, Executive Director of Policy and Social Change at Crisis, said: “These statistics provide further proof that the housing market is on its knees. The number of people being served with an eviction notice has risen once again, reaching its highest level in eight years. Soaring rents and rising costs are piling unsustainable pressures on renters and, sadly, this shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.

“Through our services, we are seeing how many tenants are bearing the brunt of rising mortgage rates, as landlords pass increasing costs down. The all too common and devastating consequence of this is that people on low incomes are left with nowhere to go and forced into homelessness. This cannot continue.

“In their 2019 manifesto the Government promised to abolish no-fault evictions and yet, four years on, the situation for renters is no better. The Renters Reform Bill must be prioritised in the Autumn, along with crucial investment in housing benefit. The warning lights are flashing - failure to act will see thousands more households facing the uncertainty of eviction and at risk of homelessness.”