A charity making Remembrance Day poppy wreaths has been the subject of media investigations over the serving of Section 21 eviction notices.
And the government claims the charity’s actions may not have been necessary.
The Poppy Factory – a non-profit organisation for veterans, which works with the Royal British Legion – has allegedly served tenants in a west London block of flats with eviction notices.
The BBC and The Observer claim the charity told tenants last month that it was raising rents by up to 35%, or £800, a month.
The media outlets say residents include some on benefits “and several with severe health and mobility issues.”
They also say one tenant is as recovering from cancer treatment while others allegedly requested repairs in relation to black mould.
A Poppy Factory spokesperson has told Landlord Today that the media has carried “unsubstantiated details of tenants’ personal circumstances”.
And the charity has this message on its website: “The Poppy Factory is carrying out a review of some private rents on our residential estate in Richmond upon Thames.
“We are an employment charity supporting vulnerable veterans and their families, and income from our private rented housing is essential to funding this work. The homes affected by the rent review are let on the open market and rents have often been well below local levels.
“The decision to review private rents on our residential estate has been taken with great care.
“We obtained three independent professional assessments of the market rent for each flat, based on its current condition. All three assessments were at similar levels.
“No veteran households are affected by this review. Homes provided under our charitable mission will continue to be offered at significantly subsidised rents.
“We recognise that proposed rent increases on some private rented properties have caused concern for some residents. We have invited tenants to discuss their individual circumstances, arranged independent inspections and continue to offer further support.
“We extended our consultation period to allow more time for tenants to consider the information provided. No one is being asked to pay more than others already pay for similar properties, or above market rent for the property condition.”
The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government tells The Observer: “There’s absolutely no requirement to increase rent to full market levels ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force, and charities using legislation as an excuse to push renters on to the street deserve the public’s contempt.
“This behaviour proves why a Renters Rights Act is so necessary.”
