Evictions rise in Dorset ahead of new Renter’s Rights law
Dozens of Dorset renters seek help from council as ‘No Fault’ evictions increase in the Dorset Council area
Dorset Council says it has seen an increase in ‘no fault’ evictions in recent weeks.
The authority says there has been a gradually increase in Section 21 evictions since December with 54 reported across the council area asking for help from then until now.
Iain Sim, interim corporate director of housing, told councillors that his officers were allocated to each case and were also working with other agencies to find the best option in each case.
He said he believed the worst of the situation of ‘no fault’ evictions were now over but further changes were expected in the local private housing market with new ‘renter’s rights’ legislation which comes into force in May.
In response to a question from Sturminster Newton councillor Carole Jones, he said that, so far, there had been no evidence of private landlords leaving the market in response to the legislation changes.
He told a People and Health Scrutiny committee that the Dorset Council area has around 27,000 privately rented homes and an estimated 10,000 landlords, although no precise records exist.
A new registration system which comes into force later in the years should provide that information.
“We haven’t noted a significant number of landlords who are pulling out of the market – but that’s not to say it’s not happening and I do feel there will be a drop off as renter’s rights comes into play,” said Mr Sim.
The committee heard that the authority currently has three families in bed and breakfast accommodation, although plans are in place for each to move them on to more permanent homes.
It had recently housed a pregnant women in bed and breakfast for longer than the six-week limit, but her situation has since been resolved.