A worried family of four in Erdington is facing eviction in just weeks after receiving a s.21 no-fault eviction notice from their private landlord. Fay and Anthony Bonas, along with their two young children aged one and six, now face the frightening prospect of becoming homeless and potentially being relocated hundreds of miles away, possibly as far as Wales, to secure temporary council housing.
“We have always paid our rent on time, never missed a payment,” said Fay, 35, to BirminghamLive. “The landlord has apologized and acknowledged that we were good tenants, but he needs to sell the house.”
The couple has lived in the property for six years and received the eviction notice digitally via WhatsApp, email, and post earlier this month. Fay, who is a full-time carer for her disabled husband, 36, expressed deep concern about their uncertain future, especially given her husband’s health challenges.
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“The thought of moving so far away, with my husband’s disability and two young children, is terrifying,” she said. “Birmingham City Council’s private tenancy team warned us that temporary accommodation could be as far as the Welsh border. It’s all very alarming and leaves me petrified about what’s next.”
Having poured significant time and money into making the house their home, moving out feels devastating. “We were so happy here—we moved in when our daughter was just five months old. We prayed to get this place amid lots of interest from other renters, and we spent a lot to furnish it properly,” Fay explained.
She fears that support will only arrive once they are officially homeless. “It worries me that help won’t come until the eviction is enforced. People say assistance only happens once the bailiffs show up and you’re on the street. I don’t want to become a problem for anyone.”
Two years ago, the Bonases tried to join Birmingham City Council’s housing register in search of an adapted bathroom for Anthony but were rejected because they already had a home. Now, as their eviction date of May 15 looms, they are urgently seeking help from housing associations, MPs, and the council.
“It’s very stressful knowing the process will be long and there’s no emergency fast-tracking available,” Fay said, acknowledging their understanding of the landlord’s situation but sounding the alarm about soaring rental costs.
Previously, rent started at £650 a month but gradually rose to £850. Fay worked until maternity leave and Anthony, a shopfitter, had been a dedicated worker until his disability intervened. Today, they face paying up to £500 more monthly if they find a private rental. “We hit the jackpot with this house,” Fay reflected. “Now, with private rents sky-high, we would have to contribute much more, and even £200 a month is a stretch.”
The family’s experience highlights the intense challenges in Birmingham’s housing climate. A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council said: “We understand how distressing and uncertain the threat of homelessness can be for families. We are in contact with the Bonas family and are doing all we can to support them while exploring all suitable housing options.
“Due to the severe shortage of accommodation in Birmingham caused by the national housing crisis, there is very high demand for housing. Sometimes, it is necessary to place households outside the city. We appreciate this can be difficult, and we aim to keep people as close to Birmingham as possible.
“At present, none of our Temporary Accommodation placements are outside the West Midlands conurbation.”