Illegal evictions are on the rise. Data recorded by Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and Bristol City Council all show stark increases. CAB reports a 95% increase of cases reported since the first lockdown in March 2020 and the council’s Rogue Landlord Unit (RLU) has seen a 58% increase in cases reported in 2020-21 compared to the previous year. This is likely to be only the tip of the iceberg as most of those affected are unlikely to report incidents.

Why this trend? The measures that are, or have been, put in place to prevent or delay lawful evictions and homelessness, such as the ban on eviction and increase to notice periods, are only encouraging illegal evictions.