Over 40,000 tenants were evicted from their homes by landlords in 2015, the highest level of evictions on record, independent think tank says.
A new report by the Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research (CCHPR) found evictions of private tenants increased by one third to 40,000 between 2003 and 2015.
Of these 40,000, there were 19,019 repossessions in the social housing sector, and 22,150 in the private rented sector.
Commissioned by the Joseph Roundtree Foundation (JRF), the research also revealed more than 100 families a day lost their homes last year.
The increasing eviction rates are linked to the overall growth of the private rented sector and cuts to Housing Benefit.
The CCHPR researchers found the increased eviction rates were being driven by high numbers of ‘no-fault’ evictions under a Section 21 by private landlords.
Section 21 is a law which allows landlords to evict a tenant after the initial rental period without giving a reason and without any wrongdoing on behalf of the tenant.
Changes in welfare benefits have also been a crucial factor in the increase in evictions.
According to the report, Housing Benefit no longer covers the cost of renting, with average shortfalls ranging from £22 to £70 per month outside of London, and between £124 and £1036 in inner London.
‘Facing higher rents, a benefits freeze and impossible choices about what bills to pay, evictions have reached record levels and put families under enormous strain,’ said Campbell Robb, chief executive of JRF.
‘Tenants told us about the misery and insecurity they face. The Government has made welcome moves to offer renters more protection.
‘But it is intolerable that over 100 families a day are losing their homes. The Government must act now and take immediate action on housing costs. This means lifting the freeze on Housing Benefit.’
Commenting on the report, Anne Baxendale, director of campaigns and policy at the homelessness charity Shelter, said: ‘We are deeply concerned that the current freeze on Housing Benefit is piling a huge amount of pressure onto thousands of private renters who are already teetering on the brink of homelessness.
‘For those hit by the freeze, Housing Benefit is falling far short of the gap between the cost of sky-high private rents and people’s incomes which don’t keep up.
‘We hear from struggling families and people in low paid jobs right across the country who are being denied the essential top-up they need to afford their rent and keep hold of their home.
‘That’s why we’re calling on the Government to abandon the freeze and prevent more people from facing the trauma of losing their home.’
Anna Clarke, author of the report, said: ‘Alongside the difficulties caused by evictions, our research highlights the complete lack of options people on low incomes face when they lose their home.
‘Greater protection from eviction is needed, but affordable, secure alternatives are too so people do not face even more stress and costs when they are forced to move.’
