Solicitors Report Late Flood of No-Fault Evictions Before Ban in England

As England braces for the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act this Friday, a frantic wave of "no-fault" evictions is sweeping across the nation. Solicitors report being inundated with last-minute instructions from landlords eager to bypass the upcoming ban, which promises to be the most significant reform in renting history.

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It’s been an absolutely manically busy day. We’ve had lots of landlords trying to serve last-minute section 21 notices, but also lots of tenants who have been served, seeking advice because people are desperate. This is people’s homes, people’s lives.

The new legislation, set to abolish no-fault evictions, cap rent hikes, and end fixed-term tenancies, has triggered a surge in activity. Law firms are working overtime to serve notices before the deadline, while advice services like Citizens Advice are seeing a dramatic rise in individuals facing eviction. This pre-ban rush highlights the immediate impact of the legislation on both landlords and tenants, many of whom are scrambling to navigate the changing landscape.

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I’m having to say to them if I post it, it’s not going to be served on time, so you can either hand-serve it yourself or pay a process server to do it, with a photograph of themselves affixing it to the door or serving it through a letterbox. So if a judge raises a question down the line, you have the evidence you did it by 1 May.

Concerns are mounting over the potential consequences for tenants, particularly in a market already strained by a severe lack of affordable housing. Many are finding themselves with nowhere to go, as social housing and private rentals remain scarce. The "no-fault" eviction, while being banned, is a symptom of a deeper crisis. The intention behind the Renters' Rights Act is laudable, aiming to provide greater security for tenants. However, the current housing shortage means that for many, the ban on no-fault evictions may offer little immediate relief, as the fundamental problem of insufficient housing persists.

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People are scared. That’s why they’re doing the section 21 notices now, because it’s perceived to be quicker and easier than what’s coming.