Acorn Brighton, a group that lobbies for renter’s rights, demonstrated outside Hanover Homes in Southover Street, Brighton, today, February 1, in defence of Trina Bradbury.
Trina, 80, lives in Carn Court in North Drive, Hanover, having signed a 12-month tenancy agreement in December 2023.
When the agreement came to an end in December last year, Trina stayed in the property and was then issued with a Section 21 eviction notice.
It states that the landlord requires possession of the property and she must leave by March 2025.
However, Trina has resolved to stay put, even in the face of bailiffs.
She said: “If the bailiffs come, I will bolt and lock myself in. I’m prepared to put up a fight.”
The Argus understands that Trina was granted extra time to move out so as to not leave her homeless just before Christmas.
Earlier this month, a spokesman for Hanover Homes said: “The tenant has been given legal notice at the end of their fixed term agreement.
“The landlord has requested legal possession and we have followed their instructions.”
Members of Brighton’s Acorn branch have backed Trina after reading her story.
They took banners, signs and leaflets to the letting agents in Hanover and protested outside the office, although no one was inside.
Speaking at the demonstration, branch organiser Toby Sedgwick said: “This is something that happens all over the place.
“I have been given a Section 21, Kezia (chairwoman) has been given a Section 21.
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“They think they can get away with it, hiding behind anonymous desks.
“We’re people, we’re human beings.
“We have a right to a home.”
Cireena Simcox, 75, is a committee member of the branch, which she has been a part of for three years.
Cireena, who lives in Brighton, said: “When I first came here everything went wrong. The person who I was supposed to be going into business with went bust and I had one of those landlords.
“I came home one night and my place had burned down. I was homeless, it was awful.”
Cireena explained how she was put into temporary accommodation for four months, however it was unpleasant to live in.
One night, she reported being woken up by someone coming into her room and getting into bed with her.
“It was rough”, she added.
She joined Acorn after seeing how “dedicated” the group was in defending tenants and taking action.
Speaking to The Argus, Mr Sedgwick said: “We’re here today because we saw this in your newspaper.
“We were disgusted by what’s happening to Trina.
“We’re not prepared to put up with it.
“We exist to defend our community. We saw that Trina is so desperate that she’s talking about barricading herself in her flat.
“We’re saying that we will support her.”
The Argus has contacted Hanover Homes for further comment.
Section 21 evictions have recently come under scrutiny, with Labour’s planned renters right bill set to see them abolished.
The change could mean landlords would have to share with tenants reasoning behind an eviction notice.
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