Salisbury woman won't return to private renting despite law change
The Renters Rights Act 2025 becomes law today, abolishing Section 21 no-fault evictions
A woman from Salisbury who became homeless after being issued with a Section 21 notice says she won't return to private renting despite a change in the law.
From today (1/5), the Renters Rights Act becomes law, abolishing no-fault evictions, as the Government aims to bring greater security to people in rented accommodation.
It also outlaws bidding wars and requires longer notice periods should a landlord need a tenant to leave.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it will make renting "fairer and safer" for millions of people, allowing them to put more of life's building blocks in place: “For too long, families have lived with the constant fear of eviction, while young people have been outbid for the homes they need to start their lives.
“Today we are putting that right. We promised to fix a broken rental system and we’re delivering.
"I won't go back to private landlords"
Leah, who is living in supported accommodation in Salisbury provided by homelessness charity, Alabaré, told us the trauma of her recent eviction is too much for her to go back to the sector.
Leah was asked to leave her last home after her landlord went through a divorce, meaning he needed the place for himself. And while her flatmate was able to find new lodgings, Leah wasn't able to do so, as she's medically signed off.
She revealed the impact it's had on her life.
"It's like your whole life's been like tugged out from underneath you," she said. "It's stressful, it's unsettling and It sent me into a deep depression for quite a while because I couldn't have my dog with me for seven months."
She has been reunited with her pet, with her mental health receiving a significant boost, but told us she's waiting for social housing to become available.
"I'd have longer to get out, but it would be that fear that I'd still lose my home from underneath me. So no, I'll wait as long as I have to get a council flat now. I wouldn't go back to private landlords."
Veteran fighting the system
We also spoke to Neil, who is being supported in Alabaré's Homes for Veterans scheme.
He became homeless as a result of his landlord deciding to sell up once the new law was confirmed in 2025, with the Section 21 issue while he was in hospital.
While his flatmate was in the process of moving back to Australia, Neil was left fighting a frustrating battle with the system that left him feeling like he was wasting his time.
Neil told us that he had two different case workers and found himself regularly being asked to provide documentation he'd already sent over.
"On the last email I said, 'I've done this now about 6 times. I've sent you in everything from the Section 21 notice and all you rights to rent stuff and everything like that'.
"When I said that, they sent me an email back saying it's all been logged on the system. It's been there for a month. I'm like, 'why are you constantly asking me for this stuff? Because that was putting more stress on me, constantly having to do the same thing'."
He added that he reached out for support from a Tenancy Sustainment Officer about some paperwork he was unsure of. Neil said the forms stated an officer could visit him to help out, but when he asked for a help to come to him, he was told that wasn't possible.
Neil said he felt like he was bouncing from pillar to post.
However, he's beginning to get life back on track and says new surroundings have really helped.
"My plan is to get myself sorted out one way or the other," he said, adding that he hopes to be able to find somewhere more permanent to settle down, including within the private rental sector.
Charity welcomes new law, but says job not finished yet
Alabaré said the new law is a "huge benefit" as it has seen many clients come to them after a Section 21 notice and have become homeless.
The Salisbury-based organisation said the stability for people is vital and that it can help address the homelessness crisis the UK is currently experiencing.
The charity's Faye Tryhorn insisted the Government's work mustn't stop here though, as more social and affordable housing is still needed.
The Government has pledged £39 billion for such accommodation, but she said a key issue remains.
"The problem that we're seeing at the moment is that the house building is not keeping up with the demand for people that need those properties. So we just really want to make sure that the government is sticking to those targets," she said.
Faye added that the charity hopes the Government sticks to its targets as it would mean fewer people on social housing waiting lists and improved mental and physical wellbeing, which would in turn mean less people needing supported living from organisations like Alabaré.
The charity provides supported living accommodation in Salisbury and Chippenham, with drop-in services available at both.