London Olympics 2012 prices tenants out of homes

Jimbo | 03.02.2012 10:40 | Analysis | World

Greedy landlords are pushing tenants out of their homes in time for the London 2012 Olympics in favour of highly profitable short term rentals.

Due to anticipated shortages of accommodation during the games east there are reports of London property owners and agencies informing tenants that they'll have to find somewhere else to live. New tenants are being given contracts which state that they will need to find somewhere else to live for the duration of the Olympics from the end of July this year.

"It’s a strong possibility that a large number of east London tenants may face eviction, rent hikes and losing their homes as a result of the Olympics." said Antonia Bance of homeless and housing charity Shelter said.

With no solid laws or rental control regulations enforced in the UK, cash-grabbing landlords are even telling private tenants that unless they agree to move out of their homes their current rent will increase by up to £500 a month.

The shortage of housing in the east London area is being blamed for the situation and private tenants are expected to begin being given notice to leave properties around April or May this year to enable legal eviction of one or two months notice.

Jimbo

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being evicted

03.02.2012 12:00

People should be educated about their rights when being evicted. In the UK a landlord can decide to throw you out for no reason. But there are rules.
The landlord must issue a Section 21 notice giving minimum of two months notice depending on what kind of tenancy agreement you have. The wording on this notice is very strict and if they get it wrong they will have to start again. Getting a Section 21 notice is not a notice to quit-it is merely requesting possession. If you don't leave when requested the landlord will have to get a court order which can take many weeks depending on how busy the court is. It is possible to mount a defence which can further delay things. If the court grants possession they will usually give you 14 days to vacate-you can ask the judge for up to 42 days(on a defence form the court sends you).
Even when the 14 or 42 is up you don't have to move. The landlord will have to apply to the court to get the baliffs to remove you-again this can take weeks. The baliffs will give you plenty of warning-by law they have to- when they are booked to come. You move before they come. You may be liable for court fees but they come to no more than £300 all up and can be disputed. The landlord may use a solicitor and try and claim costs too but as everything can be done online you shouldn't have to pay them.
I was issued a Section 21 seven months ago and am still in my flat. There are forums to help you(landlordzone-set up landlords but will help if you are a good tenant being evicted) and Shelter has a website which has some useful info on it(I found forums better).
Keep paying rent or you could end up with a ccj which affects your credit rating(if you never pay the rent and landlord takes you to court). A landlord cannot just hike rent-they must issue a Section 13 notice and the rent nust be fair-compare other rents in the area and if necessary and you can appeal-some info here

http://www.tenancyagreementservice.co.uk/rent-increases.htm
Making a landlord get a court order for possession will not affect your credit rating.
If the landlord threatens you in anyway they can be fined and jailed. Do everything by letter or email and keep all correspodence.
It's your home-knowing the law can give you more time in it. If it's the vile olympics you are getting evicted for-pointing out to the landlord the law and how long it might take ie beyond the games - might make them give up on the idea.

not moving

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Utter and complete misinformation

03.02.2012 12:55

There have been no evictions of threats of any. No landlord wants to lose a regular tenant for the sake of a few hundred extra for one month's rent during the Olympics.

Tenant

as well as knowin your rights resist evictions.

03.02.2012 18:38

as well as knowing your rights and using the courts to resist an eviction it's possible to physically resist the eviction, barricade and get as many neighbours and friends as possible to stand outside when the bailiffs turn up, they usually leave the first time, perhaps for several weeks.

Alexander Squatter

time to organise

03.02.2012 20:20

people who come and help resist evictions and foreclosures-I believe occupy nyc has started doing this. Is there something like that here? There should be. Put a call out the day before baliffs turn up and hundreds/1000's of resistors turn up.