A leading property lawyer has urged the government to accelerate the passage of the Renters Rights Bill, warning that delays are fuelling a rise in no-fault evictions.

The bill, currently moving swiftly through the House of Lords and expected to become law this spring, should be expedited to protect tenants, according to Sarah Taylor, a property dispute resolution partner at Excello Law.

Latest figures from the Ministry of Justice reveal a sharp increase in Section 21 evictions, which allow landlords to repossess properties without citing a reason. In 2024, 32,287 claims for accelerated possession were issued—up 7% from 30,230 the previous year. Bailiff-enforced evictions under Section 21 also climbed 10% in the final quarter of 2023, reaching 2,947 compared to 2,671 in the same period a year earlier.

Taylor attributed the rise to uncertainty surrounding the legislative changes, with many landlords opting to leave the rental market or secure vacant possession of their properties before the new rules take effect.

“We have seen reports of a year-on-year rise in no-fault evictions,” she said. “The uncertainty over the bill has led some landlords to act pre-emptively, either by selling their properties or evicting tenants while awaiting further clarity.”

She warned that tenants are bearing the brunt of this instability, facing eviction as landlords seek to regain control of their properties.

“It is crucial for the housing market that this bill becomes law soon,” Taylor added. “Both landlords and tenants need certainty.”

With growing pressure to tackle housing insecurity, campaigners and legal experts continue to call for urgent action to prevent further disruption in the rental sector.