Labour MP Siobhain McDonagh has revealed that at least 130 section 21 notices were issued for the Britannia Point development in Colliers Wood, south London, sparking a major controversy over tenant rights.
Housing Minister Demands Urgent Answers
In an exclusive development, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook wrote to Criterion Capital, seeking immediate clarification on its eviction practices. The minister expressed deep concern that the company might be attempting to evict tenants en masse before the implementation of the Renters' Rights Act on 1 May, which will ban no-fault evictions across England.
Criterion's Firm Denial
Criterion Capital, established by billionaire property magnate Asif Aziz, has strongly denied any wrongdoing. In a statement, the company asserted that it is merely engaging in routine and lawful tenancy management, not mass evictions. They reported issuing 87 section 21 notices across their entire portfolio, affecting fewer than 5% of their tenants.
The company argued that serving section 21 notices does not equate to eviction, as actual removal requires a subsequent court order. They noted that over a third of households who received these notices have already moved, describing these as tenant-led decisions that they supported, rather than forced evictions.
Political Backlash and Tenant Concerns
Pennycook warned in his letter that such actions, if proven, would represent the behavior of a thoroughly unscrupulous landlord, precisely the type the new legislation aims to curb. He emphasized the potential for public outrage, given the proximity to the new protections for private renters.
Criterion countered by accusing politicians of spreading inaccurate and politicised narratives that cause unnecessary alarm among tenants. They condemned the use of the term mass eviction as irresponsible and misleading, arguing that tenants should not be used as cannon-fodder for political campaigning.
Tenant Experiences and Local Response
Reports from publications like London Centric and the BBC indicate that many tenants were surprised and alarmed upon receiving what they perceived as eviction notices. A local councillor has reportedly taken up the cases of more than 100 Criterion tenants at Britannia Point alone, highlighting the scale of concern in the community.
Criterion stated that for tenants wishing to remain, they are actively engaging to agree on renewed tenancy terms, which may not necessarily involve rent increases or other significant changes. They assured that serving a notice does not preclude continued occupation if new terms are mutually accepted.
Ongoing Scrutiny and Future Implications
This dispute underscores the intense scrutiny facing landlords as England prepares to enact sweeping rental reforms. With the ban on no-fault evictions just weeks away, the actions of property companies like Criterion Capital are under a microscope, balancing legal tenancy management against ethical considerations and public perception.
The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how similar situations are handled across the country, impacting thousands of tenants and landlords alike.
