Salford homelessness charity Mustard Tree says an end to no-fault evictions is badly needed to prevent more people ending up on the streets.
Jack Barton, communications manager at Mustard Tree, says that government plans to outlaw evictions where the tenant is not at fault will protect vulnerable residents.
He said: “We are still seeing it more and more because of the out-of-control rises in rent.”
However, with bases in Eccles, Little Hulton and Ancoats, the homelessness charity have been working alongside fellow charities and shelters to push through the no-fault evictions bill.
“One thing that we’re fighting to be pushed through with other organisations is the Renter’s Reform Bill which will ban no fault evictions or the section 21s.
“Essentially, it’s where a landlord would evict a tenant without any real reason or cause, they might do it just because they want to put up their rent.”
Under current legislation, landlords in England can issue a Section 21 notice if they want to take possession of their property from its current tenants.
Landlords do not have to give a reason for the eviction and only have to give two months’ notice.
Landlords can use the threat of homelessness to force the tenants into paying or just force them out and find someone who will pay the rent.
During Covid, the government banned this type of eviction. This weekend it released a statement stating it will ‘outlaw’ section 21 evictions by the time of the upcoming general election.
Speaking with Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove MP said: “We will have outlawed it and we will have put the money into the courts, in order to ensure that they can enforce that.”
“If we don’t put this reform act in place, so many more people will end up on the street with no alternative accommodation to go into.”
Each of Mustard Tree’s bases has a community shop, food club, the Freedom Project and the charity’s life skills and employability training placement.
Mr. Barton explained: “It’s where we help people to learn new skills, find work and above everything else we help people build their confidence.
“When people come to us their confidence is shot, a lot of people suffer. There are commonalities between being street homeless and suffering with mental health issues and addiction.
“Being ignored constantly, time and time again is going to have a massive detriment on your mental health.”
The charity has a footfall of 10,500 every month across all three bases and rely on funding and volunteers to continue providing the services they do.
You can contact the service on 0161 228 7331 or visit their website here.
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