NO-FAULT evictions have soared to their highest level in eight years while the number of empty homes has increased to nearly 1 million, new figures revealed yesterday.

Ministry of Justice data shows that between 8,425 households in England were taken to court under Section 21 between July and September — the most since June 2016.

The notice, which allows landlords to evict tenants with only a two-month notice period and without providing any justification, is expected to be banned next year, once the Renters Reform Bill is passed in Parliament.

The increase in evictions came after then-Chancellor Jeremy Hunt cut capital gains tax on residential property in March, which may have prompted landlords to sell up and kick out tenants. 

While the new Bill seeks to ban no-fault evictions, selling homes will still be seen as valid grounds for eviction.

Generation Rent campaign group is calling on the government to introduce longer periods of notice for tenants and a requirement for landlords to provide them with compensation. 

Generation Rent chief executive Ben Twomey said: "While the Renters' Rights Bill will rightly give tenants four months' notice to move if their landlord sells up, renters will still have to raid savings or borrow money to fund a move for their landlord's convenience.

"Where tenants face eviction for reasons beyond our control, we need more time in our homes and financial support with the costs of moving."

While Section 21 evictions are on the rise, so is the number of empty homes.

Government data analysed by Action on Empty Homes found that there are 998,784 out of use homes in Britain. 

More than 265,000 are officially empty long-term — a rise of 4,587 over the last year.

Action on Empty Homes director Rebecca Moore said: “After more than a decade of intense housing crisis, people are asking how long-term empty homes in England can keep on rising while 117,000 families and over 151,000 children are trapped in temporary accommodation, costing the nation £2 billion a year.”

“Action on Empty Homes calls on government to introduce a new national empty homes programme to create additional housing supply for those in most housing need, utilising properties currently left vacant or in need of renovation.”

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government was contacted for comment.