‘Everyone was in tears’: the tenants given eviction notices just before ban in England

Shock and fears for future, including homelessness, after landlords rushed to issue section 21 notices before 1 May

It was 2pm on 30 April when Carl Kansinde Middleton received a “no fault” eviction from his landlord in Brighton – just 10 hours before section 21 notices were officially banned under the Renters’ Right Act.

“As we were getting closer, I really thought I was safe,” he said. “It just never occurred to me that it would just come right on the last day – I truly felt blindsided.