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Concern over planned eviction of tenants from supported living scheme
A group of tenants in supported living accommodation in Gloucester have expressed concern over eviction notices served by their landlord, which they say will make them homeless.
Residents at a scheme of Westmoreland Supported Housing Association-run homes in the South West city were served the notices with an eviction date of today.
The tenants, who have a range of support needs, including mental health issues and substance misuse, must now find alternative accommodation or risk homelessness.
Westmoreland said that the tenants need to vacate the homes in order that repairs and remodelling work can take place.
The company manages tenancies for the homes on behalf of Henley Healthcare Investment, a private fund which invests in specialist accommodation. Gloucester City Council is understood to pay upwards of £300 per person per week in rent for the accommodation, which consists of a number of shared houses, plus associated care.
Council representatives are known to have met tenants last Friday with local housing company Green Square in order to find them alternative places to live.
A council spokesperson said: “The council has been involved with Westmoreland and the owner of the properties where they manage tenancies, and are aware that there are proposed changes to those relationships.
“We will continue to work with both parties until those matters are concluded.”
He said while the council was unable to comment on individual cases, the council does check whether the Section 21 notices have been made legally. The notices must give tenants at least two months’ notice and can be found to be invalid if they breach certain conditions, including if it was served after a tenant complained in writing about the condition of their home.
Last year, the Home and Communities Agency found that Birmingham-based WM Housing may have caused “serious detriment” by evicting tenants either with no notice or only a week’s notice.
