London Residents Face Mass Eviction by Criterion Capital Amidst Section 21 Ban

London residents are facing potential eviction from properties owned by Criterion Capital, sparking outrage and prompting intervention from the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. The evictions, carried out through Section 21 notices, are occurring ahead of the planned ban on these “no-fault” evictions in May 2024 as part of the Renters’ (Reform) Bill .

Allegations of Mass Evictions

Criterion Capital has been accused of issuing Section 21 notices to tenants across multiple properties, including Britannia Point in Colliers Wood, Delta Point in Croydon, and Emerald House in New Malden, collectively housing 606 flats. Residents report receiving notices with little warning, causing significant distress, and uncertainty. Some residents initially received communication that their notices had been rescinded, only for that to be overturned .

Councillor Stuart Neaverson described the situation as potentially “the largest mass eviction London has seen in recent years,” with over 150 residents attending a community meeting to express their concerns .

Mayor of London’s Response

Mayor Sadiq Khan has written to Asif Aziz, the owner of Criterion Capital through The Aziz Foundation, expressing his “appall[ment]” at the reports and requesting an urgent explanation of the company’s actions. Khan emphasized that forcing Londoners from their homes without good reason is “unacceptable” and reiterated his opposition to Section 21 evictions .

Criterion Capital’s Defense

Criterion Capital maintains that the evictions have been “materially misrepresented and politicised” and are part of routine asset management processes. The company claims that a “limited number” of statutory notices were lawfully served in compliance with the Housing Act 2004, affecting fewer than 5% of tenants across its portfolio. They deny any attempt to accelerate action ahead of the legislative reform .

The company also disputes claims of a “mass eviction” and asserts that the conclusion of periodic tenancies does not equate to homelessness .

The Section 21 Ban

Section 21 notices allow landlords to evict tenants without providing a reason, with just two months’ notice. The Renters’ (Reform) Bill, passed into law, will abolish Section 21 evictions in England from May 2024. Housing charity Shelter has identified Section 21 notices as a leading cause of homelessness .