Labour MP calls for end to Section 21 as property manager defends eviction process

Despite a landlord helping to rehouse tenants after serving them with a Section 21 notice, a Labour MP is calling for the notice to be withdrawn.

According to Nottinghamshire Live, Nadia Whittome MP has urged the landlords and property managers of Assured Properties Leasing and Transitions Housing to withdraw the Section 21 notices immediately from three properties in the Nottingham area.

Ms Whittome is urging “Section 21 evictions to be outlawed without delay.”

Changes to tenancies

A previous article by Nottinghamshire Live reveals the three properties in Sherwood on Mansfield Road, Warwick House, Warwick Mount, and Warwick Towers, all received Temporary Exemption Notice (TEN) applications under the selective licensing scheme.

The notices were issued by Transition Housing, the operator of the buildings and the tenants’ landlord.

When granted, such notices provide a legal exemption from the requirement for a landlord to license the property for a period of three months, during which time landlords may, for example, make plans for the property, including changes to tenancies.

The three Mansfield Road properties are jointly managed by Assured Properties and Transitions Housing Solutions CIC, a non-profit provider of supported accommodation for vulnerable people.

Residents have complex health issues

Ms Whittome on a post on X, formerly Twitter, reveals she has written to the owners and managers of the properties, raising concerns about the impact on tenants

She said: “I have been contacted by constituents who are extremely worried about the upheaval as many have lived in their properties for decades. This leaves a significant number of residents who are now struggling to secure alternative, affordable accommodation.

“I am aware that some residents have complex health issues, including one resident undergoing dialysis for kidney disease, and would be at risk without stable housing to meet their medical needs.”

She adds in her letter: “I have been further informed that Warwick House was declared vacant at a time when properties were still occupied, and it is alleged that this may be to circumvent licensing conditions.

“Residents have also reported being served Section 21 no-fault evictions referencing ‘structural repairs’. However, there is concern that the real intention is to convert the buildings into more profitable exempt accommodation.”

The residents of the properties have now teamed up with ACORN to protest against the evictions and have launched a petition to revoke the Section 21 notices.

ACORN Nottingham says on their website: “Over 20 tenants in the Warwick flats on Mansfield Road have had their lives turned upside down their landlord has given them a no-fault eviction notice, kicking them out of their home with just 8 weeks notice.

“These include many who have lived in the flats for over 10 years, and will be ripped away not just from their home but also their community.

“It’s not too late to stop this, tell Transitions Property Management and Assured Property Leasing to revoke the Section 21 evictions!

No one is left homeless

However, Ose Iheanacho, landlord and property manager representing Assured Property Leasing, explains to Nottinghamshire Live he has personally helped tenants to relocate.

He tells Nottinghamshire Live: “I want to be absolutely clear: my sole intention throughout this process is to ensure that no one is left homeless or removed from their home without a suitable and supported solution in place.

“This is why I have taken on a compassionate and personal responsibility to provide as much support and guidance as possible to each tenant, ensuring that the relocation process is handled with empathy, care and respect.”

He says he has helped relocate 17 of the tenants after working with them to secure alternative accommodation and has called the evicted tenants every week to ensure they receive alternative housing.

According to Nottinghamshire Live, the eviction notices were staggered and issued separately.