Birmingham City Council has expressed sympathy for a family of four facing eviction from their private rental home during the ongoing UK housing crisis.
Fay and Anthony Bonas, along with their two daughters, have been served a no-fault eviction notice under Section 21 and must leave their Erdington property by mid-May. After six years of tenancy without missed payments, the family now confronts the threat of homelessness.
Despite previously applying to the council’s housing register for an adapted bathroom to accommodate Anthony’s disabilities, their application was rejected because they were already housed. The couple is now urgently seeking assistance from housing associations, local MPs, and Birmingham City Council ahead of their eviction date on May 15.
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A council spokesperson acknowledged the difficult circumstances: “We understand how distressing and uncertain the threat of homelessness can be for families, and we are sorry to hear of Ms Bonas and her household’s situation. We are in contact with them and are doing all we can to find suitable housing options.”
The spokesperson highlighted the severe housing shortage in Birmingham, noting the very high demand for council homes and the challenging necessity of sometimes placing families outside the city, though efforts are made to keep placements within the West Midlands.
Fay, a full-time carer for her disabled husband, expressed her anxiety: “The landlord said we were always good tenants but needs to sell the house. It worries me, especially with my husband’s disability and two children. Temporary accommodation being as far as the border of Wales was a shock—I’m petrified for what’s ahead.”
She fears that support will only come after eviction and doubts the prospect of finding affordable private rented housing amid steep price increases. The couple once paid £650 monthly rent, which rose to £850—a rate they considered a good deal. However, current private rents would require contributions of up to £500, an amount they cannot easily afford.
Fay summarized the harsh reality many face: “It is so sad and scary what is happening to the council, with how hard it is to get housed.”