When I got the letter telling me to be out of my home of seven years, I was devastated. It gave no reason for why, and there was nothing I could do to challenge it.
It hit me like a blow to the body. It’s why last month’s Government announcement that it will scrap section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions through a Renters’ Reform Bill now means so much to me.
Scrapping section 21 effectively means landlords will need to state legitimate grounds for repossessing their properties from tenants – it’ll be a great thing for renters. It would’ve allowed me to feel safe and secure in my home, not like I was being ripped apart from the life I had made for myself.
In March this year, I was handed an ominous piece of paper officiously stating that I had just two months to pack up my things and get out of my home. When I asked the letting agent why, I felt I was fobbed off and left none the wiser.
I even offered to negotiate a rent increase if the landlady needed more income from the property. But the law meant that my landlady could turf me out without having a good reason and I had no way to stop the eviction.
I was so tired when the reality of my situation actually set in, that I didn’t have the energy to try to stop the eviction.
In hindsight, I suspect that my complaints about the temperamental boiler could have been the reason why the landlady wanted me out. I was unable to keep warm in winter, wash up or have a bath. I felt cold, dirty and unkempt.
While the landlord got a plumber to look at the boiler, the issue was never fixed. Surely proper heating and hot water in your home is a basic requirement for a rental?
Until section 21 no-fault evictions are scrapped, no private renter can have peace of mind
I was given just two months’ notice to leave the property – no time at all for someone to find a new home. And I’m not the only tenant affected; every seven minutes, a private renter is handed a section 21 eviction notice by their landlord.
But as a disabled woman – I have a rare brain condition, encephalitis, and relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis – the search for a new home is harder than ever.
These conditions mean I am chronically fatigued with mild cognitive issues. I am very lucky to still be mobile. MS relapses are also greatly affected by stress.
With the support of my personal care assistant, I quickly started looking for a new place to live, hauling myself up and out to view property after property.
On beginning the process of moving, I quickly became overwhelmed with the sheer amount of tasks to put into place. They kept revealing themselves – securing a removal team, deep cleaning things like carpets and the oven, and thinking about raising funds for a deposit.
I have a personal carer to help me with such things, but she was very upset that this could happen to me.
I viewed one place and put in an offer. Little did I know that there were three others ahead of me, and I lost out most likely to a young professional or someone who offered more than the advertised rent.
Heartbroken, tired and stressed, my search continued. I knew that speed was of the essence if I was going to secure a new home. This made it even more stressful as my disability means that I need more time to do things and tire easily.
I decided I had no chance finding somewhere in the place where I lived and my notice was quickly running out. I started looking out of the area where it seemed less competitive and managed to find a place to rent in Shoreham, which is roughly up to 10 miles away.
It didn’t tick all my boxes, but I couldn’t afford to be choosy in this market. I made an offer and asked my brother to be my guarantor, as I couldn’t afford the alternative: six months’ rent in advance.
I am one of the ‘lucky’ ones.
I’m now in my new home in Shoreham – which is lovely – and I’m slowly recovering from my eviction. But I was torn away from my sons, carer, doctor, hospital, and friends because I was forced to move further away from them, and it will take some time for me to rebuild my life.
Even now I’m in my new home, I still worry every day that the whole nightmare could be repeated.
Until section 21 no-fault evictions are scrapped, no private renter can have peace of mind – at any moment we could be turfed out on a landlords’ whim.
It’s about time that the law reflected that there’s millions of people renting who need to have a safe and secure home. The Government promised to turn the Renters Reform Bill into law by the end of this year but it can’t come soon enough for the 11million private renters in England like me.
Our happiness depends on it.
Find out more about Shelter’s Enough Is Enough campaign and sign our petition to demand a Renters’ Reform Bill that will deliver lasting change for renters here: Our Renters’ Reform Bill campaign – Shelter England.
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