Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has asked housing secretary Steve Reed to investigate claims that Criterion Capital has evicted large numbers of its tenants ahead of new renters’ rights coming into effect.
During this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons, Dame Siobhain McDonagh, Labour MP for Mitcham and Morden, called on Starmer to address the “largest mass eviction by a private landlord in decades”.
According to the allegations, Criterion Capital, a London-based real estate investment and development company founded by Asif Aziz, handed out at least 130 Section 21 ‘no-fault’ eviction notices across its portfolio in London and the South East, including Britannia Point in Colliers Wood.
“Silently, and in semi-secrecy, London and the South East are experiencing the largest mass eviction by a private landlord in decades,” McDonagh said. “Criterion Capital have issued at least 130 no-fault evictions across their portfolio.
“Those affected have done nothing wrong. They have paid their rent, looked after their homes, and worked hard. They are simply victims of a voracious landlord who always wants more.”
She called on Starmer to hold Criterion Capital to account before before Section 21 evictions are banned from the start of May under the Renters Rights Act.
“Renters should have security and I condemn any unfair evictions,” Starmer responded.
“I’m proud to be abolishing Section 21, a practice that’s pushed thousands of renters into homelessness. I’ll make sure the housing minister looks at the case that she’s raised.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government added: “We are aware of these concerning reports. Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions threaten thousands of people with homelessness every year and that’s why in just a few weeks the groundbreaking Renters’ Rights Act will put a stop to that.
“Meanwhile landlords will get clearer grounds to regain possession where needed – whether that’s to sell or deal with issues like rent arrears or anti-social behaviour.”
Section 21 will be illegal from 1 May under the first wave of measures introduced under the Renters Rights Act.
The first phase of implementation will also make it illegal for landlords and letting agents to increase rent prices more than once a year, ask for more than one month’s rent in advance or pit tenants against each other in bidding wars.
London Councils, a cross-party group representing the capital’s 32 boroughs, has also this week weighed in, writing to Asif Aziz demanding urgent clarification about its reported use of Section 21 notices across London and the number of residents affected.
Its letter referenced reports published by London Centric that the company was “phasing out” private tenancies in favour of becoming a temporary accommodation provider.
The body has warned it could boycott the use of properties owned by the business owner for temporary accommodation if reports of “mass evictions” prove accurate.
The mayor of London Sadiq Khan earlier this month also said he was “appalled” by the claims of mass evictions of London residents, and has written to Asif Aziz over the allegations against his property firm.
Criterion has an estimated £9bn property portfolio that includes the Trocadero building in Leicester Square.
Criterion Capital has been contacted for comment.
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