Tenants Fear Eviction by Christmas after Rent Promise Rescinded

The New Era estate in Hoxton, which had until now provided affordable rents to local people, was bought this year by Westbrook Partners, a US-based private property investment group. Westbrook passed management of the homes to the Benyon Estate, co-owned by the Conservative MP Richard Benyon, which bought a small stake. Following a wave of negative reports about their plans for the estate, the Benyon Estate announced it was pulling out as residents had “made it clear that they do not welcome our involvement”. As residents celebrated an apparent victory four Hackney councillors hand-delivered letters warning of Westbrook’s new plans.  The councillors said they had previously urged Benyon and Westbrook not to increase rents on the estate to market values, which in some cases would lead to a rise from about £600 a month to nearer £2,400. The letter said they had secured an agreement not to increase rents again until 2016. However, it added: “We understand the council have now been informed that Westbrook no longer plan to honour that plan, and have been told that their plan is to refurbish the current estate in its entirety and then rent all the properties without secure tenancies at market rent levels, with no affordable housing.” Read more on the Guardian website.

Prime Minister Grilled Over Tory MP Richard Benyon's 'Social Cleansing'

David Cameron was grilled over the Tory MP landlord in a rent hike row. The PM was put on the spot after the Mirror revealed how dozens of poor families face possible eviction after Richard Benyon’s estate took a stake in their homes. His £110million family firm is part of a consortium planning a rent rise that could triple bills on an estate in Hackney, East London.  Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn said it was “social cleansing”. Diane Abbott asked if it was the PM’s “idea of compassionate conservatism”. Mr Cameron refused to back his MP but blustered: “We all know that we need to see more houses being built. We have seen 41,000 affordable starts over the last year and more than a fifth of those have been in London.” Read more on the Daily Mirror website.

Families Face Eviction after Richest MP Buys Housing Estate and Hikes up Rent

Devastated families are facing being evicted after the inherited estate of Britain’s richest MP bought a stake in their homes. Tory Richard Benyon’s £110million family firm is part of a consortium that snapped up the housing estate and announced plans for a massive rent hike. Up to 90 households in East London fear the Benyons’ plan to charge “market rents” will treble their bills. The New Era Estate, in Hoxton, has a long history of providing affordable housing and has been home to some people for 70 years.  The Benyons have already hiked rents by 10% this year. Read more on the Daily Mirror website.