CAMPAIGNERS called for a cap on rent rises after new data showed that homelessness caused by no-fault evictions has continued to rise.

Government figures showed that 7,040 households were threatened with homelessness after being served a Section 21 notice — increasing by 2.6 per cent compared with last year.

Overall, 21,000 households were threatened with homelessness due to the ending of an assured shorthold tenancy agreement.

In 41 per cent of cases, the agreement ended as the landlord wanted to sell the property, and in 17 per cent, the landlord wanted to re-let the property.

The government is due to abolish Section 21 after introducing plans to bring the Renters Reform Bill into law, but landlords are still expected to have the right to evict should they want to sell.

Generation Rent is campaigning to make it a requirement for landlords to give tenants compensation if they have to move, and for an extended notice period. 

The campaign’s chief executive Ben Twomey said: “Government plans to end Section 21 through the Renters Rights Bill are welcome and will stop thousands of people being made to experience homelessness because their landlord feels like getting a new tenant in.

“But renters will still face insecurity if selling up is to become a valid ground for eviction.

“And there are also very few measures in the Bill to prevent landlords using rent hikes as evictions in all but name.

“Putting a limit on rent rises will help prevent this. Meanwhile, we need more time in our homes without fear of eviction for reasons beyond our control, and, when this does happen, financial support with the costs of moving.”