I have to sofa surf with 6 kids after we were kicked out – it’s NOT our fault & the stress is unimaginable
A MUM has to sofa surf with her six kids after they were kicked out - saying it’s NOT their fault and the stress is unimaginable.
Carly and her kids were evicted from her four-bed home in Enfield, north London after her landlord hiked the rent.
She had been paying £1,900 a month - but could no longer afford the rent after it went up by £100.
The mum-of-six was slapped with a court possession order in November last year.
Her landlord then handed her an eviction notice with just two weeks' notice.
Carly told the BBC: "I might have to sofa surf. The stress alone is unimaginable.
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"I wouldn’t put this on anyone. It’s been a nightmare. You wouldn't want this for anyone, it's scary for the children."
On Wednesday the mum had just an hour to move her furniture into a van before bailiffs locked her out of the house.
She was forced to take off the front door so she could remove her fridge from the home - where her family has lived since 2018.
Carly's kids are aged between seven months and 16 - and some of them have never lived anywhere else.
The mum has borrowed money to put all of her things in storage - and faces a long wait for somewhere for the family to live.
Carly's landlord and their estate agent declined to comment on her case.
Enfield Council said Carly and her family were allocated rooms within a day and assigned a case worker.
Section 21 no fault evictions - what are your rights?
Source: Citizens Advice
- A section 21 notice has to give you at least 2 months.
- Some tenants have a right to a longer notice. For example, 3 months' notice if your rent is due every 3 months.
- Section 21 notices are sometimes called 'no fault' notices because your landlord does not need a reason for eviction.
- But your landlord must follow rules to use a section 21. For example, they have to use the right form, protect your deposit and give you a gas safety certificate.
- All councils must help stop people becoming homeless.
- You can ask the council for help as soon as you get a section 21 notice.
- Your landlord must get a possession order if you do not leave when the notice ends.
- They must not change the locks or evict you themselves.
- Your landlord can apply to court as soon as the notice period ends.
- In most cases, your landlord has to apply to court within 6 months of giving you notice.
- If you have a right to a longer notice period, your landlord has 4 months from the end date on the notice.
- The notice stops being valid if your landlord does not apply to court within this time.
- This means they would have to give you a new notice if they still want you to leave
What to do if you're made homeless
In England, your council must help if you’re legally homeless or will become homeless within the next 8 weeks.
You may be legally homeless if:
- you’ve no legal right to live in accommodation anywhere in the world
- you cannot get into your home, for example your landlord has locked you out
- it’s not reasonable to stay in your home, for example you’re at risk of violence or abuse
- you’re forced to live apart from your family or people you normally live with because there’s no suitable accommodation for you
- you’re living in very poor conditions such as overcrowding
There are different types of support your council could offer you. For example, they may offer you advice, emergency housing, support to find longer-term housing or help so you can stay in your home.
If you are looking for advice you can contacting housing charity Shelter for advice, Citizen Legal Advice for a legal aid, and speak to your local council for help.