NO-FAULT evictions have soared to their highest level in eight years while the number of empty homes has increased to nearly 1 million, new figures revealed yesterday.

Ministry of Justice data shows that between 8,425 households in England were taken to court under Section 21 between July and September — the most since June 2016.

The notice, which allows landlords to evict tenants with only a two-month notice period and without providing any justification, is expected to be banned next year, once the Renters Reform Bill is passed in Parliament.