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London council investigates mistaken call for temporary accommodation payment
Westminster Council has launched an urgent investigation after a letter was sent to households in temporary accommodation telling them their possessions could be destroyed if they did not pay a weekly storage charge.
A spokesperson for the council said the letter was sent by mistake and the council has no intention of introducing a charge for storing people’s possessions.
The letter stated that from 1 May, households in temporary accommodation would be charged £12 a week for each crate of items the council holds in storage. The council does not charge for this service under its existing policy.
The letter was sent from the council’s temporary accommodation voids and supply officer. It said if payment was not received by 1 May then the possessions would be destroyed.
The letter added one storage container would normally hold one flat’s worth of possessions.
Local Labour MP Karen Buck flagged what appeared to be the council’s new policy. However, when Inside Housing approached the council a spokesperson said the letter had been sent out in error.
A council spokesperson said: “This is not our policy and we have no intention of doing this. We are now urgently reviewing how these letters came to be sent. Westminster City Council is proud of the extensive support it provides for households in temporary accommodation and the work that is done to provide a more permanent home.”
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