Urgent need to fund legal help for renters at risk of eviction
As the housing crisis worsens, the Law Society of England and Wales calls for immediate investment in the justice system to support reform of the rental market.
This call comes as new quarterly figures* published by the Ministry of Justice show a rise in renters at risk of homelessness.
The statistics also indicate that mortgage orders for possession increased by an incredible 38% (2,923 to 4,038), compared to the same quarter in 2023.
Landlord possession orders rose 7% (from 17,987 to 19,254). This could lead to eviction for almost 25,000 people.
Law Society president Richard Atkinson said: “The rising number of eviction orders reflects the alarming state of our housing crisis and the urgent need for rental reform.
“The cost-of-living crisis has meant that renters are increasingly at risk of losing their homes. When faced with repossession, renters should be entitled to legal representation and access to justice. However, an underfunded justice system has denied renters a fair chance in court due to lack of legal aid.
“It is deeply concerning that 25.3m people (42%) do not have a local legal aid provider for housing advice.** This means that there is no support for renters who cannot afford legal help.
“It is critical that the government invests in the legal aid system, so that renters have the help they need to avoid losing their homes.
“While we welcome the government’s Renters’ Rights Bill, it will struggle to achieve effective rental reform without funding the justice system and legal aid. The government must immediately invest £4.3 million in housing legal aid alongside the Bill to close this gap in provision.
“Labour must recognise that only a well-funded justice system can protect renters’ rights.”
Notes to editors
*Statistics taken from Mortgage and Landlord Possession Statistics: July to September 2024.
**Law Society research has found that 25.3 million people (42%) do not have a local legal aid provider for housing advice.
Additionally, more and more law firms can no longer afford to offer advice, as legal aid rates have decreased by almost 50% since 1996.
Learn more about our work on housing legal aid
View our housing legal aid deserts map
Learn more about the Renters’ Rights Bill
About the Law Society
The Law Society is the independent professional body that works globally to support and represent solicitors, promoting the highest professional standards, the public interest and the rule of law.
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