Ipswich bucks national trend with drop in 'no-fault' eviction claims

Why it matters: The contrasting local and national pictures highlight Ipswich's relative stability at a time when housing campaigners warn of a deepening national crisis.

"The drop in accelerated possession claim numbers in Ipswich is very reassuring because it suggests a stable rental market in the town, which is good for both landlords and tenants," says Will Oakes, Litigation Partner at Attwells , a local law firm specialising in property law. "In many ways, Ipswich is bucking the trend."

By the numbers:

• 18 accelerated possession claims in Ipswich (July-September)

• Down from 24 in the same period last year

• 8,563 claims across England and Wales, down slightly from 8,746 in 2023

• Second highest national figure in nine years

The background: Landlords can use these "no-fault" eviction orders – known as Section 21 notices – to remove tenants with two months' notice without providing a reason. If tenants don't leave, landlords can pursue an accelerated possession claim.

Opinion

Market pressures: Recent history shows various changes in the taxation and regulation of tenancies has made being a landlord less attractive to some.

Many landlords have left the market which has caused an increase in rents.

As a consequence, some landlords have pursued no-fault evictions simply to attract a new tenant at a higher rent.

What they're saying: "The cost-of-living crisis has meant that renters are increasingly at risk of losing their homes," said Law Society President Richard Atkinson. "When faced with repossession, renters should be entitled to legal representation and access to justice."

Looking ahead: While the government plans to ban no-fault evictions through the Renters' Rights Bill, this has created additional pressure. "We know that the government still intends to ban no-fault evictions; a reaction to this is that some landlords have served section 21 notices now for fear of not being able to do so in the future," says Oakes.

The other side: A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing said their Renters' Rights Bill will give tenants greater stability, adding: "We have inherited the worst housing crisis in living memory with millions of renters living in constant fear of section 21 evictions."

Between the lines: Housing charity Shelter warns that even after Section 21 is scrapped, renters could still face pressure from uncapped rent increases. Chief executive Polly Neate called for the Bill to be strengthened, saying: "Renters will continue to live in fear even after Section 21 is scrapped."

The bottom line: "It must be hoped that despite these factors, eviction rates remain low in the town because we know that a stable rental market generally results in happier communities," Oakes concludes.