Residents of the Willow Lodge guest house in east London are calling for an end to no-fault evictions, which they say are increasing their risk of homelessness. The hostel is home to approximately 20 people, 12 of whom are children, who have all been made homeless as a result of no-fault evictions. Meanwhile, London borough of Redbridge has said that the amount it spends on temporary accommodation provision is “simply unsustainable”. It and other councils have called for all landlords to provide accommodation of acceptable standard, with Redbridge council offering to undertake immediate action to inspect premises in Willow Lodge and work with landlords on remedial action.
No-fault evictions permit landlords to ask tenants to leave within a short timescale with no explanation. Such evictions have risen in number by 30% between April and June, a year-on-year increase, against the backdrop of a rising number of short-term households in temporary accommodation. Characteristics of the situation vary. Some employers may no longer be able to afford not to pay the living wage. But the forces of immigration, high cost-of-living and overall market conditions all exert a squeezing effect.
Redbridge council spent £52m on temporary accommodation last year, which it argues is unsustainable due to the extreme cost of private renters in London. Critics argue that uncertainty over eviction has led to a rise in homelessness. In response, the new UK government has pledged to reduce uncertainty by making landlords give families longer notice periods prior to eviction and to give a valid reason for doing so. However, Redbridge Council has highlighted that its ability to accommodate those who have been evicted is waning rapidly, with hostels like Willow Lodge proving increasingly overstretched
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