Resilience with Our Eviction Support Group

How Our Eviction Support Group Assisted Grace

Grace with her children and Eviction Support Group members outside Newcastle court

A Family Under Siege

Grace and her family's nightmare began in 2022 when they received a Section 21 notice (a so-called no-fault eviction notice), despite being model tenants who paid their rent on time. Their landlord had neglected crucial repairs—leaving them to endure water leaks, rat infestations, and other dangerous conditions. Yet instead of addressing these issues, the landlord escalated their harassment with relentless texts and calls, urging Grace and her family to vacate the property.

The emotional toll was immense, pushing Grace into a terrifying game of chicken with homelessness, unsure each day whether her family would be forced onto the streets. Eviction is a legal process that can take a few months—these months are full of stress for the tenant, and in Grace's case, until Food & Solidarity got involved, full of harassment.

Legal Struggles: Facing the System Alone - BUT with Solidarity

When the eviction case went to court so the landlord could get a possession order, Grace had no legal advice at the possession hearing due to conflicts of interest with legal aid solicitors, who were already working for the landlord. Food & Solidarity members stepped in to help where they could. Although they couldn't provide legal advice, members attended court in a show of solidarity, ensuring Grace didn't face the battle alone.

Fred and Lorna, fellow members of the Eviction Support Group, were at Grace's side throughout the ordeal. Fred accompanied Grace inside the courtroom, offering emotional support, while Lorna waited anxiously outside, trying to gauge the outcome from the landlord's expressions. Despite Grace's heartfelt appeal to keep her family safe in their home, the judge imposed a crushing £1,315 in court fees on Grace (shared with the landlord), compounding her financial struggles, but also granted her six more weeks (the maximum allowed) to find alternative housing.

Food & Solidarity's presence didn't end at court. The Eviction Support Group immediately mobilised to raise funds to cover Grace's court costs and were pivotal in offering the emotional and practical support that helped her continue fighting.

Community Action: Preparing to Resist

As eviction day approached, Grace's community rallied behind her. Food & Solidarity took direct action by setting up monitoring groups and an eviction support group to protect Grace from potential harassment by the landlord. Members were ready to resist the eviction, with plans to confront any illegal actions or intimidation.

The community didn't stop there. Food & Solidarity's Eviction Support Group also targeted local councillors, holding them accountable for their inaction. After officials ignored their pleas, the group marched on them to demand a response, applying relentless pressure until their voices could no longer be ignored.

Down to the Wire: Playing Chicken with Homelessness

Grace's situation became a terrifying race against time. Every day felt like walking a tightrope, unsure if her family would fall into homelessness. Adding to this stress was the struggle to secure housing for her disabled child, who faced discrimination from the Housing Advice Centre (HAC). Despite multiple attempts to apply for housing assistance, Grace's child was repeatedly denied help, further compounding the family's crisis.

Section 21 Evictions to be Banned BUT Evictions Will Continue

In a significant development, the UK government has introduced the Renters' Rights Bill, which will finally ban Section 21 evictions for both new and existing tenancies. This marks a turning point in the fight for renters' rights, as landlords will now be required to provide a legitimate reason to evict tenants, offering families like Grace's greater security.

These reforms signal a shift toward protecting tenants from the kind of exploitation Grace and her family faced.

A Battle Won, but the War Continues

Though Grace and her family have won this battle, the broader war for housing justice is far from over. Their story exemplifies the need for systemic reform, and while the Renters' Rights Bill is a significant step forward, the fight for housing continues. Grace's journey shows that when communities come together, they can resist—and ultimately overcome—the systemic injustices that threaten their homes.