Nearly 100 families in Reading have been threatened with homelessness by landlords using "no-fault" eviction powers since the Government pledged to scrap them, figures show.

In April 2019, former Prime Minister Theresa May promised to abolish section 21 eviction notices which allow landlords to evict a tenant at short notice and without a reason.

The White Paper which will set out reforms to the private rental sector has now been delayed until next year.

Polly Neate, chief executive of housing charity Shelter, said: "The eviction ban was a lifeline for renters during the pandemic.

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"Now those protections have ended, we’re worried that thousands more people will face eviction in the months ahead.

"We know from our own services and research that plenty of tenants are threatened with eviction just for daring to complain about poor conditions, and not a day goes by without renters calling us because they are terrified of losing their home."

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities data shows 92 households in Reading were at risk of homelessness after they were served with a valid section 21 notice between April 2019 and June 2021.

They made up part of the 30,350 households who needed housing help for this reason across England during the period.

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In Reading, 10 households sought help from the council after being hit with a section 21 eviction notice between April and June 2021, seven more than in the same period the year before.

The figures only reflect the number of people who needed help from their council to secure new accommodation, meaning the number of notices served is likely to be higher.

The Government said it was committed to changing laws around private renting.

A DLUHC spokesperson said: “We remain committed to delivering a better deal for renters, including repealing Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

“We will continue to engage constructively with stakeholders across the sector as we develop proposals.”