Izaz Riaz (Student)
Recent Government statistics show that 5,940 households were served with a section 21 (‘no fault’) eviction notice between April and June 2022. Since the end of the eviction ban in May 2021, there has been a 76% increase in section 21 eviction notices being served. And in 2022 it was found that 25% of households (17,530) in the UK were homeless or becoming homeless due to being served with ‘no fault eviction’ proceedings. It is the second leading reason for homelessness in the UK.
In 2021 YouGov revealed that 39% of private renters (3.2 million people) are living in unhospitable living conditions. This is because tenants are fearful of contacting their landlords regarding repairs due to the retaliation they may receive from their landlord by being served with a section 21 (‘no fault’) eviction notice.
Landlords have a duty to their tenants to ensure that the property is in a habitable condition. The types of repairs landlords are required to cover are:
- the structure of the property, for example walls, roof, windows and doors
- sinks, baths, toilets
- pipes and wiring
- heating and hot water, e.g. the boiler
- the safety of gas and electrical appliances
Once a tenant has reported a problem with their rented accommodation landlords must make the repairs in a reasonable amount of time. What constitutes a reasonable amount of time depends on the level of seriousness of the issue. For example, a broken boiler should be fixed sooner than a leaking tap.
If your landlord refuses to make repairs or takes too long to make repairs, you have the right to report your landlord to your local council’s Environmental Health department. The Environmental department has the authority to force your landlord to make repairs and prevent your landlord from serving you a section 21 notice.
There are proposals to change the law to remove the S21 no fault evictions but currently they remain
Here at SULAC we can assist with housing issues. If you need an appointment please call 01782 294800 or email sulac@staffs.ac.uk