As many as a third of renters could be forced out by rent hikes despite landmark legislation to protect their rights, research shows.
Labour ’s significant Renters' Rights Bill, which is currently passing through Parliament, will ban landlords from evicting renters for no reason from their homes. But despite Section 21 evictions being abolished, campaigners have raised concerns that landlords would still be able to use unfair rent hikes to push people out of their homes.
Polling by the Renters Reform Coalition (RRC) has found 34% of renters, and 29% of renters with children, said they would "definitely" be forced to move home by a rent increase of £110 per month.
Analysis by the campaign group suggests the average rent increase recommended at first-tier rent tribunals is more than double this at over £240 per month.
Tom Darling, Director at the RRC, praised the “long overdue” Bill to improve renters’ rights but said “the rent rise eviction loophole is a serious gap in the legislation”.
“Even after section 21 is abolished, our research suggests as many as a third of renters will still face being pushed out of their homes and communities by rent increases, and landlords will be able to use rent hikes they know tenants cannot afford to threaten or intimidate,” he said.
