A council in Lambeth, London, which is run by the Labour Party, has initiated no-fault evictions for 63 families despite the party’s pledge to abolish such practices following its election victory in 2024. More than a year later, the promised renters’ rights bill has not yet become law. Generally, only private landlords can conduct no-fault evictions, officially known as section 21 evictions, but Lambeth council has leveraged a legal loophole by establishing an arm’s-length body to manage parts of its housing stock, enabling these evictions.
So far, five families have received court possession orders, with two homes repossessed by bailiffs, while another 24 families vacated their properties voluntarily after receiving eviction notices. Internal documents indicate that council officials have been planning these actions since at least 2023, with full implementation postponed until after the recent elections due to concerns about political sensitivity.
Lambeth council previously expressed its desire to end no-fault evictions in a 2019 letter to the Conservative government. The tenancies in question were administered by Homes for Lambeth, an entity created in 2017 to manage housing under an estate regeneration program. Although the council is now disbanding Homes for Lambeth due to performance issues identified in a 2022 review, it continues to pursue legal measures to regain possession of homes already vacated or under eviction notices.
Approximately 100 homes were voluntarily vacated before eviction procedures began. The council claims that reclaiming these properties will help meet urgent housing demands, particularly for vulnerable families needing temporary accommodations. A court ruling in June stated that current legislation does not prevent councils from utilizing such arrangements.
Residents affected by the eviction process, including Jules Zakolska, have expressed severe distress over their situations. Zakolska noted the substantial impact on mental health and stability for families facing eviction. In response, a Lambeth council spokesperson emphasized the need to address homelessness and the challenging decisions involved in using properties for the benefit of vulnerable families. The Ministry of Housing also reiterated its commitment to combating homelessness and housing shortages.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/oct/11/lambeth-council-legal-loophole-no-fault-evictions