ALMO threatens to seize home in drugs case
Share
A London arm’s-length management organisation has taken action against a tenant whose home was used for drug dealing.
Lambeth Living got a suspended possession order last month against a tenant whose nephew, 27-year-old Martin Ojara, was jailed for supplying drugs. His uncle was not found to have been involved in the criminal activity but his property on the China Walk Estate in Kennington was used for drug dealing.
The suspended possession order prevents the tenant from allowing his home to be used for drug use and distribution and prevents his nephew, Mr Ojara, from entering the property when he is released from prison. The tenant will be evicted if he breaks either of the conditions of the order.
Lambeth Living chairman Keith Hill said: ‘We want this action to send a clear message that Lambeth Living will not tolerate anti-social behaviour in its properties. Anyone suspected of harbouring drug dealers will be investigated and possibly evicted.’
Have your say
You must sign in to make a comment
Readers' comments (2)
Peter | 08/02/2010 12:41 pm
This is same as the burglar report we had last week. This is nothing new or alarming. In cases like these, the evidence gathering process is arduous and there must be consideration about the victims who are innocently involved. How you are going to deal with them, If the perpetrator who is not the tenant but is caught and sent to prison? It does not automatically mean you can seek possession of the property, but you have to go through a number of loops and hurdles first, to consider if you even have a case?
During my time in London in the late nineties and in the 2000s, we had taken possession of several properties because they were used as 'crack houses'. But, we had worked with several agencies ( Police, PCTs, Child Protection, Social Services, Probation Services.etc) to secure the possession of the property. We had to prove to the Judge that the multi agency approach is fair and any vulnerable person is not displaced in a discriminatory way.
As for Mr. Hill, your residents clear action not clear messages!
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Alan | 12/02/2010 2:36 pm
Congratulations to Lambeth Living. I disagree with Peter, for, as the tenant, you must be held totally responsible for all activities emulating from your property! To do otherwise would make nonsense of all tenancy agreements and, if this is allowed to be a loophole in the law, it must be closed immediately.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment