Thursday, March 13, 2025

London Renters Union Halts Eviction of Disabled Mother

 London Renters Union members in Stratford, London, March 13, 2025

CAMPAIGNERS successfully brought the threat of eviction for a disabled mother and her family to a halt today.

London Renters Union (LRU) protested outside the Stratford offices of Local Space, the charitable housing association which issued the eviction.

Cynthia fell into arrears last year after she was moved from legacy benefits onto universal credit.

The mother-of-two was served an eviction notice in summer 2024.

The arrears have since been settled through a repayment plan with the support of the local council.

Local Space postponed the eviction — but had not stopped the court proceedings, leaving the family still vulnerable to speedy eviction in the future.

Cynthia, who is an LRU member, said: “I was completely shocked when the charity made it clear they were still threatening my family with eviction, even though we’ve paid back most of the rent arrears.

“This doesn’t feel fair at all. Me and my two children have been really stressed, worrying sick about where we will live in a few months’ time.”

After the protest, the LRU said that it managed to get the eviction called off and the remaining arrears cancelled.

The government is currently rolling out plans to impose £6 billion of welfare cuts while continuing to hike rents more than inflation for social tenants.

An LRU spokesperson said: “Disabled renters are already more vulnerable to eviction and homelessness and the current wave of attacks on disabled people from the government are only set to make things worse.

“The only choice we have right now is to come together as a community and defend each other from exploitation and mistreatment.”

Mark Kent, Deputy CEO, Local Space, said the firm “will not be requesting a possession order from the court, the eviction is not going ahead, however as a process of the courts Local Space will need to attend the hearing to instruct an adjournment of the case.”

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