Landlord offered £4,500 for asylum accommodation

A landlord has reportedly been offered £32,520 more a year to house asylum seekers in a flat already used to accommodate families through a council.

The Sun reports that the proposed three-year deal included bills, council tax and maintenance costs.

Clearsprings Ready Homes, a Home Office accommodation contractor, offered £4,500 a month for the three-bedroom property in south London, compared with the £1,790 paid by Southwark Council.

The landlord declined, saying that switching contracts would put families at serious risk of homelessness.

Council rent comparison

The anonymous landlord told The Sun: “I already rent to Southwark Council, and they [Clearsprings] are able to offer significantly more than the local authority, which to me is bizarre.

“The council has a ceiling on what they are allowed to pay landlords like myself.”

He added: “For a three-bed flat I get £1,790 from the local authority to house families, while I would rent it to Clearsprings for £4,500 per month.

“I didn’t go with them because it would have meant terminating my contract with Southwark Council and putting families at serious risk of homelessness.”

Properties sought for asylum

The newspaper reports that Clearsprings is understood to be approaching landlords who provide homes for councils, students and vulnerable people, including those fleeing domestic abuse.

It obtained a document which reportedly identifies Bedford, Southampton, the Forest of Dean, Caerphilly and Wrexham among the areas where additional properties are being sought.

Prospective landlords are also being told that homes may need extensive refurbishment before being used.

The landlord questioned why accommodation intended for asylum seekers appeared to face more demanding refurbishment requirements than properties housing homeless British families.

Home Office payment limits

The Home Office said contractual limits protected taxpayers from accommodation providers paying above the agreed rate.

A spokesman said: “We pay a capped and contractually agreed rate to accommodation providers.

“Any amount above that is covered by the contractor and not taxpayers.

“We are working to fairly house asylum seekers across the country and closing every hotel, saving taxpayers over £1billion on asylum support since the election.”