Fears more people in Wiltshire at risk of no-fault evictions
The Council say no-one should end up homeless through no fault of their own
Salisbury's foodbank says more and more of it's users are facing the prospect of eviction from their homes - through no fault of their own.
The charity's told Greatest Hits Radio that it's seeing a peak of people staring at the possibility of homelessness, following a change of guidance around no-fault evictions.
Wiltshire Council says it's anticipating an increase in Section 21 notices being handed out by landlords, according to its early data for 2023-24.
It follows the Renters Reform Bill being introduced in 2023, which prevents landlords removing tenants without cause unless their contract has expired.
Manager at Salisbury Foodbank, Maria Stevenson, told us she'd had several conversations with referral agencies in recent weeks and says its adding massive pressure to people who are already facing hardship.
"The cost associated with moving house is massive," she said, adding: "You've got the relocation cost if you're in that position. If you're lucky enough get a social housing property, you then have to pay for carpets and so on."
Section 21 notices shouldn't result in homelessness
Wiltshire Council's Phil Alford says no one should end up homeless as a result of a no-fault eviction.
He says they will work with tenants to find a solution.
"We will work with them to hopefully secure that tenancy or to help them into alternative accommodation. We do have schemes in place such as WiltsLet where we will help them secure a deposit. We will also, if appropriate, help them onto the housing register so they can apply potentially to social housing."
They encourage anyone at risk of eviction through no fault to seek alternatives before coming to the council, but where there is desperate need a Prevention Duty will be owed to the tenant.
They will then see if it is possible for a new arrangement to be agreed, but if that's not possible then an individual Housing Plan will be set up, which will ask Council officers to work with a tenant to see if income can be boosted or find a sustainable solution otherwise.
Cllr Alford, who is Cabinet Member for Housing said many landlords are skipping straight to Section 21 notices.
"Some of the smaller landlords are looking to get out of the market entirely," Cllr Alford explained. "For others, they know that because of the inflationary pressures and then subsequently the pressures on their interest that they're paying on those loans for the property they're needing to increase rent and their concern is their tenants just simply can't afford it."
He's encouraged landlords to speak to them to see if there is a way to help them deal with the situation, working with both tenant and property owner.
"What we absolutely do not want to see, of course is anybody going homeless as a result of this situation. We want it to be seamless as possible for people getting them from one home into another."