The Government must do more to protect tenants in an “often unfair and unforgiving” rental market, a London politician has said.

Labour’s London Assembly housing spokesperson Tom Copley urged the Government to swiftly end ‘no fault’ evictions.

Under current legislation, landlords can evict tenants at the end of a fixed-term rental without giving a reason for their decision.

But the process – known as a Section 21 notice – is controversial because it can leave people vulnerable to homelessness.

Last year, 3,180 households in London needed help with housing from their local council because of a risk of homelessness from a ‘no fault’ eviction.

Theresa May’s government announced plans to end Section 21 notices in April, and a public consultation on the private rental sector was opened in July.

The consultation closed this weekend – but there was no housing legislation in the Queen’s Speech on Monday, suggesting it is not a priority for Boris Johnson’s Government.

Mr Copley has now written to the new Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick, urging him to push forward with the changes.

Mr Copley said ending ‘no fault’ evictions was a “vital first step” to protect private rental tenants.

He said: “There were thousands of no-fault evictions in London last year, but this is likely to be the tip of the iceberg.

“We need to get on with scrapping section 21 without dither or delay.

“We know that the end of a private tenancy is now the leading cause of homelessness in the capital.

“It is clear that the sector needs quite radical reform as a matter of urgency.”

A spokesperson for the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “The Government is committed to delivering a fairer, good quality and more affordable private rented sector.

“Our consultation on Section 21 of the Housing Act recently closed and the Government will respond in due course.”