Rosebarn Park evictions show 'renters need better protections'
Homes have started being marketed at students, after around 60 residents of an Exeter estate were served section 21 notices in July
Last updated 29th Nov 2022
A Devon man has been backed by councils and campaign groups as he calls for better protection for renters - after around 60 properties were all given 'no fault eviction' notices and two months to leave.
The Section 21 notices were served just before the Summer on families and the elderly - along with long-standing residents of Exeter's Rosebarn Park.
At the time, residents were told they would need to leave the properties while they were refurbished - with homes becoming available again the following Summer.
Many of the homes are now being actively marketed as student accommodation and the price per room being offered will potentially earn the landlord four or five times the previous income.
We have contacted owners, Sophomore Property 1, who say they have no plans to take similar action at other sites which they own.
In a statement, they have defended the actions, saying: "We have gone out of our way to accommodate residents' requests for help and assistance both from a financial and practical perspective.
"We first notified tenants of our intentions in July and provided, to all tenants that raised concerns, significant extensions to the legal notice period required under section 21s.
"These tenants have consequently been allowed to remain in occupation until the end of this year and in some instances to the end of July next year to avoid disruption to education etc.
"Many tenants have been provided with financial assistance to aid their move, whether by the Landlord forgoing rent, refunding deposits in full before vacation or allowing tenants to take appliances to their new homes or leave behind furniture for us to dispose of at our cost."
Theis year's Queen speech included a pledge to end 'no fault evictions' but a date for the change to come into force has still not been set.
When asked for an update, a Government spokesperson said: “Ensuring a fair deal for renters remains a priority for this government, that’s why we will deliver on our commitment to abolish Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions.”
Councillor Martin Pearce is the Portfolio Holder for Communities & Homelessness Prevention at Exeter City Council. He is calling on the Government to end no fault evictions and look again at the support for communities in areas where universities are thriving:
A Government official highlighted they are giving councils '£316 million this year to prevent homelessness and help ensure families are not left without a roof over their heads'.
They also pointed to figures which show: "The latest Mortgage and Landlord Possession Statistics for July to September 2022 indicate that landlord possession actions remain below pre-pandemic levels.
"Overall, landlord possession claims were down by 26% compared to the equivalent quarter in 2019, and repossessions by county court bailiffs were down by 28%."
Campaign group Action on Empty Homes has also called for changes to Section 21 and been critical of what happened to residents at Exeter's Rosebarn Park.
Sophomore Property 1 says it is still intends to market the converted properties to renters other than students, saying: "The Landlord will not discriminate against tenants of any particular profile and we expect Rosebarn to have a variety of tenants profiles including students, young professionals and families.
"Te agent has already written to all of the existing tenants to explain that some units are being advertised to the student market now for occupation from July 23, when refurbishment works will be completed, as that market lets up well in advance of the intended occupation date.
"Young professionals and families usually require more immediate occupation and therefore it is our expectation that we will begin marketing these in April next year.
"That said, no family or young professional that has enquired and meets our criteria has been turned away and some units have already been booked by them for next summer. "
This week we are looking at what some are calling Devon's Housing Crisis. As the number of second homes here reaches a record high, we've learnt those buying them have started complaining Devon's losing its charm.