photo IDuke/CC

photo IDuke/CC   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Only 2% of landlords who illegally evict tenants are prosecuted, according to Generation Rent, the private renters’ campaign organisation.

In England and Wales, a landlord doesn’t need a reason to evict tenants but they must first obtain a court eviction notice if a tenant stays beyond the end of their notice period. If they don’t, then it is an illegal act.

In 2019-20, 1,040 households were made homeless as a result of an illegal eviction (these figures underestimate the total as councils only record cases of people who seek their help and qualify for support). Yet between 2016 and 2019 there were an average of only 24 prosecutions a year for unlawful eviction. It means that just 2% of illegal evictions were pursued by the authorities – in effect giving the green light to rogue landlords.