Tenants 'facing eviction' as landlords eye up Olympic profit

Published by 24publishing for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Local Government

Shadow housing minister Jack Dromey says Labour would drive up standards in the private rented sector following a report by the BBC revealing tenants in east London are being evicted from their homes - or told to pay higher rents - at short notice as landlords attempt to cash in on the Olympics.

Homelessness charity Shelter says it has seen increasing evidence of the practice and fears the situation will get worse as the 2012 Games approach.

One estate agent told the BBC that properties typically rented for £350 per week were being marketed for £6,000 per week.

Last year 24dash reported how councils across London were fearing that B&Bs used as temporary housing for the homeless may evict vulnerable people ahead of the 2012 Olympics because tourists will pay a higher price for their rooms.

In response Jack Dromey, Labour's shadow housing minister, said: “Rents are rising and tenants face growing abuse from rogue landlords profiteering from the housing crisis and the Olympics. But the Tory-led Government and Grant Shapps insist rents are falling and have labelled protections for tenants as “red tape”. In Government, Labour introduced a national register of landlords, regulation of letting and managing agents and compulsory written tenancy agreements, all scrapped by Grant Shapps.

“Labour would regulate the private rented sector (PRS) to drive standards up and rogue landlords out, protecting tenants and the many reputable landlords. We would also use the bankers bonus tax to build 25,000 affordable homes. This would mean more homes, which are in a better condition with fairer rents for people in the private rented sector.”

The National Landlords Association condemned the practice, adding that it was more beneficial to landlords to have a good, long-term tenant in their property.

The Government's Housing Strategy has placed an emphasis on expanding the provision of private rented housing through institutional investment, but said it was "committed" to supporting growth and innovation by "avoiding unnecessary regulatory burdens on landlords".