Mendip has seen a worrying increase in 'no-fault' evictions, with figures showing a rise to 12 cases in the year leading up to June, a significant jump from the six reported in the previous year.

Since the Government's 2019 pledge to outlaw no-fault evictions, numerous rental properties in Mendip have been repossessed without clear justification, highlighting a growing issue in the area.

The latest Ministry of Justice figures show 27 repossessions were made through 'accelerated possession orders' in Mendip since the beginning of April 2019.

These evictions, known as accelerated possession orders, allow landlords to issue a Section 21 eviction notice, requiring tenants to vacate the property within two months without needing to provide a reason.

Since April 2019, when the Government pledged to ban such evictions in its election manifesto, there have been 22,440 repossessions across England and Wales. Notably, the three months leading up to June saw a 47% increase in Section 21 notices compared to the same period last year.

Polly Neate, Chief Executive of Shelter, expressed concern over the ease with which landlords can manipulate the current system. "With private rents reaching record highs and no-fault evictions continuing to rise, hundreds of families risk being thrown into homelessness every day," she said. Neate highlighted the vulnerability of renters, many of whom live under the constant threat of eviction.

"The Renters Reform Bill will make renting more secure, and for those who live in fear of the bailiffs knocking at their door, these changes can't come soon enough," Neate added, emphasizing the urgency for reforms to provide stability to England's 11 million private renters.

In response, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities stated that the Renters Reform Bill aims to abolish section-21 'no-fault' evictions, creating a more balanced private rental sector.

"We are committed to creating a private rented sector that is fit for the 21st century, which works for responsible landlords while giving tenants greater security in their homes," a spokesperson said.

This situation in Mendip mirrors a nationwide issue, underscoring the necessity for the promised reforms in the private rental sector to protect tenants and ensure stable housing for all.