The Law Society of England and Wales has called for a multi-million-pound investment in renters’ representation via legal aid following a rise in eviction numbers.

The group says it is deeply concerning that 25.3 million people (42%) don’t have a local legal aid provider for housing advice and wants the government to immediately shore up the system while supporting rental market reform.

Quarterly figures from the Ministry of Justice show a rise in renters at risk of homelessness, with landlord possession orders up 7% to 19,254, while mortgage orders for possession increased by a whopping 38% to 4,038 compared with the same quarter (July to September) in 2023. This could lead to eviction for almost 25,000 people.

Underfunded

Law Society president Richard Atkinson (pictured) says renters should be entitled to legal representation and access to justice when faced with repossession, however, an underfunded justice system had denied them a fair chance in court due to the lack of legal aid.

“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,” Atkinson says. “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.”

He adds: “Labour must recognise that only a well-funded justice system can protect renters’ rights.”

Law Society research has also found that more law firms can no longer afford to offer advice, as legal aid rates have decreased by almost 50% since 1996.