Sarah Ladyman was made redundant from her horticulturist position earlier this year, relying on her one-bedroom flat as a safe haven. However, her landlord proposed increasing her rent from £775 to £900, prompting her to appeal to a rent tribunal. The tribunal deemed the proposed increase excessive, setting it at £825 instead; nonetheless, Ladyman received a no-fault eviction notice, formally known as a Section 21 notice, which allows landlords to evict tenants without cause. Despite previously having a stable tenancy for three years, she now faces the stress of potential eviction, fearing that bailiffs may soon take possession of her home.
Since July of the previous year, over 30,000 people in England, including Ladyman, have received such eviction notices, coinciding with Labour’s election manifesto that promised to ban them. Although the party’s renters’ rights bill is progressing through parliament, it may not come into effect in time to assist those like Ladyman.
Alice, a mother of two, received a Section 21 notice after reporting safety issues in the home she rented for £900 a month in Leicestershire. Following a safety concern related to her daughter’s birthday preparations, she expressed fears of a “revenge eviction,” where landlords may evict tenants instead of making necessary repairs. This situation forced her to seek a more expensive housing option, prioritizing her family’s stability.
Similarly, Ryan Bramley and his partner received a no-fault eviction notice shortly after addressing maintenance issues at their Sheffield home. The unexpected notice added significant stress to their lives, especially as they considered the impact of potential homelessness on their mental health and well-being.
Both Ladyman and Ryan have voiced frustrations about the slow progress of reforms regarding no-fault evictions, reflecting a wider concern among tenants experiencing similar situations throughout England.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/sep/27/total-panic-effect-no-fault-evictions-renters-england