The issue of homelessness and cost of temporary accommodation are being cited as reasons for a new version of the Renters Reform Bill.

The Generation Rent group says one in four local councils in England is spending 5% of its core budget on temporary accommodation.

And the group blames private landlords’ use of Section 21 powers for contributing to the issue.

It claims of 249 local councils some 59 spent at least £1 in every £20 of their Core Spending Power on temporary accommodation.

Of these, 20 spent at least £1 in every £10 of their CSP in 2022/3 on households and families in temporary accommodation.

Generation Rent wants the next government to bring about a new version of the Renters Reform Bill “as a matter of urgency.”

Ben Twomey, chief executive of Generation Rent, says: “The shocking strain that the cost of temporary accommodation now has on local councils is totally preventable. Where once people were able to find safe and affordable homes, we are now living in total insecurity, within a cruel and broken system.

“Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions remain a leading cause of homelessness in our country. 

“Now, more than ever, private renters need a new law to end these unfair evictions and grant us the proper protections we need to keep us safe from homelessness.

“After many delays and watering-down of the Bill, the government scrapped the Renters Reform Bill after calling the election. 

“The Bill was already not in a fit state to offer renters the vital protections that they need, yet further delays mean that renters will continue to be driven into temporary accommodation. It is now a matter of urgency that the next government introduce these long-overdue reforms to make renting work for the millions of private renters and the local communities being saddled with spiralling temporary accommodation costs.”