Abusers will be evicted from social homes and victims will be able to stay safely in their communities, under a new Bill now being considered by Parliament.

Under new protections, social landlords and courts will be able to evict perpetrators of domestic abuse from social housing – without the victim having to leave first. 

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.

The Bill also closes a loophole that let 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.  

In addition, for joint tenancies, courts will be able to transfer the tenancy into the victim’s sole name, or where staying is not appropriate, require the landlord to provide suitable alternative accommodation where available. 

Last year, around 15,000 households in England were forced to find a new social home because of domestic abuse. 

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says: “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.

“We’re also fixing the systemic issue of failing to protect and invest in social housing. I will never stand by as much-needed housing is sold off while families do not have a safe place to call home and children are growing up in temporary accommodation.”

And Housing Secretary Steve Reed adds: “Victims of domestic abuse have faced an impossible choice – stay in danger or make themselves homeless. 

“This is a moral failure this government is determined to end and these changes are deeds not words that put victims first, give landlords the powers they need, and make sure perpetrators can no longer use housing as a weapon of control.”