Property Company Denies Mass Eviction Claims Ahead of England's No-Fault Ban
In a contentious development, property firm Criterion Capital has firmly denied allegations of attempting to mass-evict tenants in the weeks leading up to the ban on no-fault evictions in England. The company, established by billionaire property magnate Asif Aziz, asserts it is merely conducting "routine and lawful tenancy management." This response comes after Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook wrote to Criterion seeking "urgent" clarification on its actions, following reports of widespread section 21 notices being issued.
MP Raises Alarm Over Tenant Notices in South London
Labour MP Siobhain McDonagh highlighted the issue during Prime Minister's Questions, revealing she is aware of at least 130 section 21 notices served at the Britannia Point development in Colliers Wood, located within her Mitcham and Morden constituency in south London. Section 21 notices are legal documents that initiate the eviction process without requiring landlords to provide a specific reason, a practice set to be outlawed when the Renters' Rights Act takes effect on May 1.
In a letter to Criterion's directors, obtained by the Guardian, Pennycook expressed grave concerns. He warned that if the company were indeed trying to remove tenants before the ban, it would constitute the behavior of a "thoroughly unscrupulous landlord." The minister emphasized that such actions could provoke "public concern and outrage," as they would undermine new protections for private renters nationwide.
Criterion's Defense and Tenant Impact
Criterion Capital has countered these accusations, labeling them as "inaccurate and politicised narratives." The company disclosed that it issued 87 section 21 notices across its entire property portfolio, representing fewer than 5% of its total tenants. It argued that this does not equate to mass evictions, noting that more than a third of affected households have already moved out voluntarily. "These were tenant-led decisions and we have supported them – they were not evictions," the firm stated.
Furthermore, Criterion explained that serving section 21 notices does not automatically result in eviction, as court orders are required for enforcement. The company added that it is actively engaging with tenants who wish to remain, negotiating renewed tenancy terms. However, it did not specify whether these new terms involve rent increases or other changes, only confirming that agreeing to them would allow tenants to stay.
Political Backlash and Tenant Concerns
The situation has ignited a political firestorm, with Criterion accusing politicians of using tenants as "cannon-fodder for political campaigning" and spreading "demonstrably untrue claims." Despite this, local reports, including from the London Centric website and the BBC, indicate that numerous tenants at Britannia Point were surprised and alarmed by the notices. A local councillor has reportedly taken up the cases of over 100 affected tenants in that development alone.
Pennycook has demanded transparency from Criterion, requesting details on the number and reasons for the notices issued. He stressed the need for "a transparent account" of the company's actions in south London properties, underscoring the urgency of the matter as the eviction ban deadline approaches.
