Two pensioners have less than a month to find a new home after being served 'no fault' eviction orders.
Berthia and Romuald Williams, who live in Magdalen Mews off Finchley Road, were allegedly sent a Section 21 'no fault' eviction order in June 2023 - but say they knew nothing about it until the following December.
They have challenged the order and appealed to Camden Council for help, but fear the Government's bid to abolish so-called 'no fault' evictions will come too late for them.
Retired bus driver Romuald, 85, is in poor health and daughter Lissa says her parents are facing racism and ageism from letting agents.
Berthia, 73, a care worker who has worked for British Telecom, MI5 and the British Black Police Commission, told the Ham&High: "We are looking for somewhere else to live but we can't stretch to the prices they are asking for and if the council can't help us, I don't know what we are going to do."
The couple moved into their home in 2018 after their daughter Lissa found it through Cedars Estate West Hampstead. They have never missed rent payments and keep the property clean.
Romauld, a former Barking bus driver, had major heart surgery in June 2023 and is reliant on medical care.
Court documents state the Section 21 order - under which landlords do not have to give a reason for turfing someone out of their home - was also posted that month, but the Williamses say they never received it.
The couple eventually received a possession order in December 2023, which landed face up in a hallway shared by other tenants.
They tried to contest its validity but Lissa said trying to get legal help with housing was a "massive struggle".
She said: "Understanding the system is so hard even for me to try and help. It's so heavily weighted in favour of landlords."
They are now being represented by United Legal Access, which is appealing on the grounds that the couple were asked to pay too high a deposit, meaning the Section 21 order was not valid.
The couple's lawyers are also arguing that the stress of eviction could worsen Romuald's health after heart operations in 2023 and 2024.
Lissa says that despite these efforts, her parents must be out in March.
And she says she is now encountering age and race discrimination when calling estate agents.
Lissa added: "Estate agents ask for finances and for their age and when I give that information I feel their tone change. They say they'll call back and never do. My parents are really scared and I'm scared for them."
A Camden council spokesperson said: “Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. The national housing crisis means there is a severe lack of affordable homes across London, and with over a third of our households privately renting in Camden, this is an experience that is sadly occurring far too often.
“Ahead of the eviction date, we are working hard to support the Williams family to remain in their home. If this is not possible, we will agree a way forward to help them find a new home, while also offering interim temporary accommodation if required.
“The forthcoming Renters Rights Bill will abolish the Section 21 “no fault” evictions and we welcome this development.”
Cedars Estate West Hampstead was approached for comment.
