Tenant evictions reach record high in 2015 according to official research

Over 42,700 households in rented accommodation were forcibly removed from their properties in 2015. This figure is 2% higher than the figures released in 2014, and a shocking 53% increase on the 2010 numbers. It represents 170 households a day being evicted from their properties.

The highest figures of evictions are being reported in the London Borough of Newham, which reports 191 evictions in each 100,000 households, with Luton, Manchester, Peterborough and Slough also rating highly on the list.

Campbell Robb, the chief executive of housing charity Shelter is concerned that the figured represent the impact that ‘welfare cuts and the chronic shortage of affordable homes are having on hundreds of renters every day’.

The new figures highlight the importance of carrying out thorough referencing checks before proceeding with a tenancy, both to safeguard the interests of the tenant and the landlord. It is not always possible to predict every eventuality with referencing checks, but it does offer both parties an opportunity to be open and honest about any financial or lifestyle issues that may effect the viability of the ongoing tenancy.

For more information on how Urban.co.uk can assist with your referencing requirements, contact the referencing team at referencing@urban.co.uk, or call on 0800 689 9955.