The government has dismissed concerns of a surge in eviction notices ahead of the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act, which is set to take effect on 1 May 2026. Housing minister Matthew Pennycook has stated that no increase in Section 21 eviction notices is expected, despite reports from tenant groups suggesting otherwise.

No anticipated spike in eviction notices

In response to a written parliamentary question from Liberal Democrat MP Edward Morello, who inquired about government assessments on landlords issuing Section 21 eviction notices before the Renters’ Rights Act, Matthew Pennycook provided reassurance. He confirmed that the Department does not foresee a spike in such notices ahead of the Act’s first phase implementation on 1 May 2026.

Mr Pennycook referenced official Ministry of Justice statistics, noting a 17% decrease in Section 21 accelerated possession claims in England between October and December 2025 compared to the same period the previous year. This data suggests that landlords are not accelerating evictions in anticipation of the new legislation.

Claims of eviction rush challenged

Contrasting with the government’s position, tenant advocacy group Acorn has reported a rise in no-fault eviction notices among its members this year, with almost a third of cases involving such notices—up from 21% in the autumn. These claims have raised concerns about landlords potentially rushing to evict tenants before the new protections come into force.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed has publicly criticised landlords who seek to evict tenants ahead of the Act’s implementation. Speaking to The Times, he condemned such behaviour as “disgraceful” and “shameless”, emphasising that there is no justification for evictions before the ban takes effect.

Government stance on eviction practices

Mr Reed highlighted the significance of the Renters’ Rights Act, describing it as “the biggest change to renting in a generation”. He stressed that the legislation will prevent unfair evictions and provide families with greater housing security, freeing them from the distress caused by previous eviction practices.

His comments underline the government’s commitment to strengthening tenant protections and discouraging landlords from pre-emptive evictions that undermine these new rights.

What this means for landlords

For landlords and agents, the government’s position signals a clear expectation that evictions should not be rushed in anticipation of the Renters’ Rights Act. The data indicating a decline in Section 21 claims suggests that many landlords are already adapting to the forthcoming changes.

Landlords should prepare for the new legal framework that will restrict no-fault evictions and focus on maintaining positive tenant relationships. Ensuring compliance with the Act will be crucial to avoid legal challenges and support housing stability.

Source: Based on reporting from Property118

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