Almost 700,000 tenants have been hit with so-called “no-fault” eviction notices since the pandemic hit, according to research by Generation Rent.

A survey commissioned by the campaign group found that one in 12 tenants in private rented accommodation have been served with a Section 21 notice since March 2020.

Two years ago today, the government proposed abolishing these notices, which do not require landlords to give a reason for eviction.

The research, carried out by Survation, also found that one in three private renters fears that they will lose their home in the year ahead – the equivalent of nearly three million people in England.

The Renters Reform Coalition, comprising 20 organisations, has launched today to campaign for a redesigned system that better serves England’s private renters.

Survation asked a sample of private renters if their landlord had asked them to move out since March 2020.

It found that 8 per cent of respondents had received a Section 21 notice from their landlord, which is equivalent to 694,000 private renters across England. 

A further 3 per cent had received a Section 8 notice, which involves the landlord providing a reason, while 7 per cent were asked to move out without formal notice.

Generation Rent director Alicia Kennedy says: “A Section 21 notice pulls the rug out from under you. 

“As long as the landlord serves it correctly, you have to move out. 

“That means very few tenants challenge it in court. 

“And because landlords don’t need a reason for eviction, it also means that many tenants live in fear of losing their home and families throughout England have no confidence to put down roots in their local area.

“Renters have been waiting two years for the government to make good on its promise to ban these unfair evictions.”

The Renters’ Reform Coalition has launched today, representing 20 charities, think tanks and campaign groups which are pushing for policy changes to protect tenants.

The coalition’s chair Sue James says: “Private renters face high rents, poor living conditions and perpetual instability. 

“This causes needless disruption to people’s lives: their finances, work, health and their children’s education. 

“Renters need certainty to enable them to put down roots in communities and create real homes in rented properties.

“Having been a front-line legal housing advisor for many years I have seen the difference that good quality, secure housing can make to people’s lives. We need to see people’s homes as more than just terms in a contract.

“The breadth of organisations that have come together to form the coalition highlights the importance of this issue. 

“It is essential that reform of private renting is a key part of the government’s plans to improve the housing system. 

“The Renters’ Reform Coalition has formed to ensure that the government keeps its promise. 

“We welcome the opportunity to work with the government to create a renting system that is fair and fit for the future.”