As the housing crisis worsens, the Law Society of England and Wales is calling for immediate investment in the justice system to support rental market reform.

This call comes as new quarterly figures* published by the Ministry of Justice show a rise in the number of tenants at risk of homelessness.

The statistics also show that mortgage orders for possession increased by an incredible 38% (2,923 to 4,038) compared to the same quarter in 2023.

Owner-possessed orders increased by 7% (from 17,987 to 19,254). This could lead to the evacuation of nearly 25,000 people.

Law Society President Richard Atkinson said: “The increasing number of eviction orders reflects the alarming state of the housing crisis and the urgent need for rent reform.

“The cost of living crisis has meant that renters are increasingly at risk of losing their homes. When facing repossession, tenants should have the right to legal representation and access to justice. However, an underfunded justice system has denied tenants a fair chance in court due to a lack of legal aid.

“It is deeply concerning that 25.3 million people (42%) do not have a local legal aid provider for housing advice.** This means there is no support for tenants who cannot afford legal aid.

“It is essential that the Government invests in the legal aid system so that tenants have the help they need to avoid losing their homes.

“While we welcome the Government’s Tenants’ Rights Bill, it will struggle to deliver effective rent 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 recognize that only a well-funded justice system can protect tenants’ rights.”

Notes for editors

*Statistics taken from Mortgage and owner occupier statistics: July to September 2024.

**Law Society research found that 25.3 million people (42%) do not have a local legal aid provider for housing advice.

In addition, more and more law firms can no longer afford to provide advice as legal aid rates have fallen by almost 50% since 1996.

Find out more about our housing legal aid work

Learn more about the Tenants Bill of Rights

About the Law Society

The Law Society is the independent professional body working globally to support and represent lawyers, promoting the highest professional standards, the public interest and the rule of law.

Press office contact: Shanzeh Haque | 07706 989843