London council housing deal triggers tenant evictions

Tenants in south west London face eviction after two separate cases, with a council acquisition in Richmond and a large private landlord move in Colliers Wood hitting the headlines.

In Richmond, more than 30 households at Garden Court, opposite Kew Gardens, have been told to move out as landlord Dorrington prepares to sell the block to Westminster City Council in a £16 million deal.

Their homes will be repurposed as temporary accommodation with Westminster confirming it is buying the block as part of its wider programme to secure housing for people on its waiting lists.

It said the transaction was agreed on the basis the building would be vacant, with Dorrington responsible for issuing notices.

Also, in Colliers Wood, at least 130 tenants renting from Criterion Capital at Britannia Point have also been issued with Section 21 notices.

Stay with Westminster

One resident has lived in the development for 16 years and he said the notices would dismantle a long-established community.

He is now trying to find ground floor accommodation that’s close to those he relies on.

Dorrington said residents had been informed of its plans in February 2025, with many already having moved.

The firm said it had agreed to sell Garden Court to Westminster City Council and was helping some residents move.

It added that tenants who ‘have protections through their tenancies’ will be able to live under the new owners.

No justification

Richmond Council said it was seeking urgent talks with Westminster, saying the eviction process has come as a shock.

Councillor Paul Swaddle told MyLondon News: “There is no justification for throwing people, including elderly and vulnerable residents, out of their homes at two months’ notice.

“Labour in Westminster, Sadiq Khan and the Labour government all campaign loudly against no fault evictions.

“To apparently facilitate exactly this for some of Westminster’s most vulnerable residents is an act of staggering hypocrisy.”

Housing Secretary to investigate

Meanwhile, tenants at Britannia Point in Colliers Wood say they have also been served Section 21 notices by Criterion Capital.

At least 130 residents are affected, according to the local MP, who raised the issue in Parliament and pointed to the timing of the notices ahead of legislative change.

She told Prime Minister Keir Starmer: “Silently and in semi-secrecy London and the South East of England are experiencing the largest mass eviction by a private landlord in decades.

“Criterion Capital have issued at least 130 no-fault evictions across their portfolio including in Britannia Point in my constituency. Those affected have done nothing wrong.”

The prime minister has asked Housing Secretary Steve Reed to investigate.

Criterion Capital said there was “no attempt to accelerate action ahead of legislative reform”.

The mayor of London said it was “unacceptable to force people out of their homes for no good reason”.