Landlord and courts to be given new powers to remove domestic abuse perpetrators from social housing

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said that, currently, landlords can only evict a perpetrator after the victim has already left the home, and in joint tenancies, the only option for the victim is to end the tenancy entirely – potentially leaving them homeless.

It added that the Bill would close a loophole that lets abusers serve a Notice to Quit to make victims homeless.

Under the proposed new law, a Notice to Quit served by a perpetrator will not end the social housing joint tenancy while court proceedings are ongoing. 

For joint tenancies, courts will be able to transfer the tenancy into the victim’s sole name or require the landlord to provide suitable alternative accommodation where available.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “No victim of domestic abuse should face the awful choice between staying in danger or losing their home.

“This government is putting that right, so perpetrators are forced out and survivors and their children can stay safely in the homes and communities they know and love.”

Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Dame Nicole Jacobs said: “Sharing a social home with a perpetrator presents victims and survivors of domestic abuse with an impossible choice.

“Remaining in their home means facing further abuse but leaving could put them at risk of homelessness and struggling financially. 

“Alongside survivors and campaigners, I have been calling for action to be taken to stop perpetrators from weaponising joint tenancies – and I’m pleased to see that the government has listened.”

Other measures included in the Bill will see a rebalancing of the Right to Buy, extending the minimum period of secure public sector tenancy for eligibility from three to ten years and reforming the percentage discounts for the scheme.

There will also be exemptions for newly built social and affordable homes for 35 years, and for rural properties in National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and areas designated as rural.

Finally, councils will gain a stronger right of first refusal to buy back properties sold under the scheme.

Harry Rodd