THOUSANDS of tenants across Barnsley whose home lives have been uncertain due to the threat of eviction will be better protected thanks to a new law.

A record number of people in Barnsley lost their homes due to a ‘no-fault’ repossession last year, latest figures have revealed, and a move to ban so-called Section 21 notices - which allow landlords to evict tenants with two months’ notice without a reason - have been outlawed.

At the time of the last census, 19.1 per cent rented from a private landlord in Barnsley South, while 22.3 per cent rented from a social landlord.

In Barnsley North, the figures were 17.3 per cent and 19.6 per cent respectively, while Penistone and Stocksbridge’s were 10.7 per cent and 13.3 per cent.

Stephanie Peacock, MP for Barnsley South, spoke out after the Renters’ Rights Act became law.

Measures introduced will provide stronger protections against backdoor evictions, applying the ‘Decent Homes Standard’ to the private rented sector and applying Awaab’s Law to set clear legal expectations about the timeframe within which landlords must take action to make homes safe, she said.

“Almost one in five households in Barnsley South rents privately,” Stephanie told the Chronicle.

“I know these people have been let down for far too long with many stuck in disgraceful conditions, powerless to act because of the threat of a retaliatory eviction hanging over them.

“I am pleased that the Renters’ Rights Act has passed into law.

“This will be a really important change for renters in Barnsley and across the country, and provides them with protections so that they can feel more secure and stable in their homes.

“This is set to impact 11 million renters across the country and is an example of the real change that a Labour government makes.”

Figures from the Ministry of Justice show landlords submitted 87 ‘accelerated possession orders’ in Barnsley in the year to June - up slightly from 85 the year before, and the highest figure since records began in 2003/04.

In the same period, bailiffs made 33 evictions following a repossession order being issued - also the highest figure on record.

A total 32,789 of these ‘no-fault’ eviction claims were submitted to courts across England and Wales in 2023/24, the highest figure since 2015/16.

Meanwhile, repossessions jumped nearly 24 per cent last year to 10,802, the highest figure in six years.

Tom Darling, director of the Renters’ Reform Coalition, added: “The renting crisis is out of control, with soaring rents and record levels of homelessness.

“Homelessness linked to no-fault evictions has only continued to rise since the election.

“The government must act soon and we’re pleased it sounds like their proposed Renters’ Rights Bill isn’t too far away.

“We are clear that the best way to prevent this is a cap on in-tenancy rent increases, at the lowest of inflation or wage growth.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said: “Our landmark Renters’ Reform Bill will deliver a fairer private rented sector for both tenants and landlords.

‘It will abolish Section 21 evictions, giving people more security in their homes and empowering them to challenge poor practices.

“We continue to meet regularly with a range of groups, representing all those in the private rented sector.”