Older renters hit with a no-fault eviction notice every 16 minutes

A private renter over the age of 55 is receiving a no-fault eviction notice – known as a section 21 notice - every 16 minutes in the UK, new research has revealed.

The report from housing charity Shelter found nearly three in ten (28%) private tenants live in fear of eviction.

What is a section 21 notice?

This is the most common way for a landlord to start the eviction process. They don’t need to have a reason to serve you with this type of notice – hence the term ‘no-fault eviction’.

You are given two months to leave your home before the landlord is able to start court action. But Shelter’s survey found a third of all private renters (34%) needed longer than two months to secure a new place to live last time they moved.

Call for no-fault evictions to be scrapped

Shelter is calling on the government to scrap no-fault evictions.

The charity warned delays to the Renters (Reform) Bill are putting the health of thousands of older renters at risk.

Their research found 25% of renters aged over 55 say worrying about eviction has damaged their mental or physical health.

One in four (24%) said housing concerns had made them feel physically sick in the past year.

Growing number of older renters

Almost a fifth (19%) of private renters in England are over 55. This number has risen 31% over the past decade.

Commenting on older renters, Shelter Chief Executive Polly Neate said:

“They shouldn’t have knots in their stomachs, constantly afraid that their landlord is going to kick them out of their home for no reason.”

Other renting news

Shelter’s calls for reform of the eviction process comes after data from the estate agent Hamptons revealed rents are rising significantly faster in the poorest areas of the country