Landlord Apologises For Eviction Letters

A housing association has apologised for the tone of letters sent to families in temporary accommodation which warned they could be evicted due to welfare reforms. The Guardian revealed Genesis sent out letters to a number of households in Haringey, one of four areas trialling the £26,000-a-year benefit cap. A spokesperson said the letters were intended to enable Genesis to guarantee the landlord full vacant possession at the end of the lease, a condition of Genesis’ lease obligations. This requires a section 21 notice to enable the landlord to regain possession of the property if the tenancy has to be terminated early due to rent arrears. The letters did not make it clear that if tenants pay their rent they will not be evicted. Read more on the Genesis website (see also posting immediately below this one).