'It's about not having anywhere for my kids to sleep': 12,500 families face eviction by Christmas

1 December 2023, 09:33

Thousands of families face being kicked out of their homes ahead of Christmas
Thousands of families face being kicked out of their homes ahead of Christmas. Picture: Alamy

By Fraser Knight

More than 10,000 families are set to be evicted before Christmas.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Figures shared with LBC suggest 12,500 families will be issued with no-fault eviction notices between now and December 25.

The government has delayed its ban on the use of Section 21 orders - a way for landlords to kick tenants out - until improvements are made to the courts.

And as temperatures drop and demand for rented housing soars, a growing number of families are facing homelessness.

Corinne Murray, a single mum of two in West London, has been told she has to be out of her home by 4 December.

"Never ever, ever did I ever think I would be in this situation," she told LBC.

"I came from a middle working-class family, and I think I had done quite well to create a home for my children that was loving and warm - it's all I've ever strived for.

"But this is so traumatic to think about… being homeless. It's about not having anywhere for my kids to sleep."

Read more: William and Kate all smiles on red carpet as royals brush aside storm around Omid Scobie's book Endgame

Corinne said she has lived in her home for 10 years and had an email through "out of nowhere" telling her they now must leave.

"Me and my son were walking home yesterday, people watching as you do, and in a house, someone was watching a Christmas movie, putting their Christmas tree up," she said.

 "And my 12-year-old turns to me and says, 'it's a shame we can't do that this year'. It's so stressful.

"They're worried about their Christmas, and if we'll have somewhere for Santa to visit or presents under the tree, because you can't hide the fact you're scrimping and saving and trying to pull everything together."

The housing charity Shelter said about 540 Section 21 notices are being made every day, forcing people to find a new home.

And a survey by the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has suggested demand for rented properties has now tripled since 2019.

Read more: Energy bills to rise by £94 for millions of households from January as Ofgem increases price cap

Read more: Deputy Labour Leader Angela Rayner emphasises plan to abolish no-fault eviction notices if Party comes to power

This mother has been evicted after complaining about mould

The group says new homes going onto the market regularly have 15-20 people expressing an interest in them, although in some cases, LBC has heard it can be as high as 75 people.

The NRLA is warning the problem is going to get worse, with almost a third of landlords now considering selling up because of rising mortgage costs.

Chris Norris, their policy director, told LBC: "We’re talking about investors and landlords looking at their portfolio to try and work out how they can return to breaking even or profit.

"Every person that's being moved on (with Section 21 notices) of course becomes a potential applicant for a new home and yes, they're going to struggle to find one.

"It's a huge amount of demand for a very limited supply of properties."

The NRLA has previously said the "uncertainty" around the future of Section 21 and the Renters Reform Bill is making it "difficult" for landlords - and renters - to plan for the future.

Housing secretary Michael Gove has said it's "vital" to update the courts first, though.

He told MPs the ban on no-fault evictions cannot be made until improvements are made to the systems used by landlords to reclaim possession of their homes.

Labour has accused the government of "kicking the proposals into the long grass", arguing it will take years to reform the legal system.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The front pages of assorted various welsh local national and regional newspapers, wales UK

Government urged to set up £50 million a year fund for local news

Exclusive
Lucy Frazer says the BBC has questions to be answered over its new documentary Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone

'Questions to answer': Former Culture Sec says BBC should take down Gaza documentary and investigate

Steven Clark

Man, 50, found guilty of murdering elderly partner, 80, found dead in retirement housing complex

A Polish woman claiming to be missing girl Madeleine McCann has been arrested on arrival to the UK

Polish woman claiming to be Madeleine McCann arrested on arrival to the UK

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer Meets With President Of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky In Washington

Starmer shows support for 'democratically elected' Zelenskyy after Trump 'dictator' comments

The studio flat offers a "mezzanine level" bedroom above the kitchen

Fury as London studio flat with 'mezzanine level' bedroom centimetres above kitchen goes on sale for measly £200k

Shah Rahman

Terrorist jailed for plotting to bomb London Stock Exchange in 2012 can be re-released from prison after Parole Board ruling

Seat backs and rows of passenger seats / seating on a BA Airbus A321 plane / airplane / aeroplane / air plane during flight. (133)

Plane passenger reveals how woman who stole his window seat was handed instant karma

The BBC has been accused of "blindly spouting propaganda" over the documentary

Israel makes official complaint as pressure mounts on BBC to address Gaza documentary row

Mr White took his own life after the heist.

Getaway car ‘fixer' found guilty of plotting £1.38m watch robbery that led shop manager to take his own life

The 56-year-old was arrested and charged with attempted burglary.

Burglar jailed after falling for 'Home Alone' style trap

Raducanu was seen wiping away her tears

Emma Raducanu breaks silence after 'fixated man' who followed her to game brings tennis star to tears

Donald Trump has branded Zelenskyy a "dictator."

Trump labels Zelenskyy a ‘dictator,' says he owes US billions and only wants to keep the ‘gravy train’ going

Eating cheese

Eating cheese and having an open fire are factors to living a long life, study shows

Russia's President Vladimir Putin said thousands of troops have crossed the Kursk border into Ukrainian territory.

Thousands of troops storm into Ukraine in fresh attack, Russia claims as Putin insists he’s ready for talks with Zelesnkyy

'Zombie knives' at a secure police location in Birmingham.

Police chief slams sale of knives for £10 in online ‘mystery boxes’