Thread by @cjayanetti

"The defendant is a widow in her 80s, disabled with osteoarthritis – and set to be made homeless in two hours."

I spent a day at court to see the situation facing tenants fighting eviction. Here's my long read on a crucible of crises: 👇theguardian.com/society/2023/d…

I shadowed @Shelter's duty solicitor at Watford County Court, Ruth Camp, as she provided courtroom representation to tenants who'd otherwise have been flying solo against the landlords trying to evict them.

What I saw, in a word, was dysfunction. Tenants being shafted by section 21 'no fault' evictions, which *still* haven't been banned. Basic repair work ignored for years by landlords. People left with rent shortfalls by the housing benefit system theguardian.com/society/2023/d…

Ruth had just minutes with some tenants before they had to go into court. With others she had about an hour - it was pure luck of the draw, based on the court's caseload at any point in time.

The only defences against s21 evictions are procedural technicalities.

I spoke to one family whose eviction had just been rubber-stamped after their landlord wanted to hike their rent.

Their council had offered them a place 200 miles away, and told them that if they refused, social services would be called in theguardian.com/society/2023/d…

Once again I will say that the obsessions of the political media class, and particularly those on its right wing, are a universe away from what is actually happening in the country, London included.

Full piece here 👇theguardian.com/society/2023/d…