A FAMILY faces life on the streets after being told they will be booted out of their home so landlords can fix 'unsafe' flats.
Umer Khan's family are set to be served a Section 21 no fault eviction notice, along with 27 other households in their apartment block, but he says he can't afford anywhere else to live.
Umer lives with his wife Seebia and their three children Asam, Neda and Faris in the Goodwood Block at Walthamstow Stadium in Walthamstow, East London.
He is currently claiming Universal Credit to top up his £10.50 per hour wage and says he can't afford a two-bedroom flat anywhere else.
He says that the flat offered to him by the developers carrying out the repairs is too expensive as the rent is £1,000 more per month than he currently pays.
The former hotel manager lost his job during the pandemic and says he has to work fewer days to look after young son Faris.
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He told MyLondon: "In this situation, I will say, I can't move on from this flat, also is clearly mentioned in the contract as well, by L&Q. If they are trying to kick us out, they're also breaking the contract."
He also questioned why the housing association are unable to move the residents into empty flats in the same block while repairs were made.
Developers L&Q are reportedly planning to evict the block's residents in the New Year so that they can fix poorly installed cladding, windows and roofs, which were signed off in 2018.
The tenants claim that for the past year they were told that they would be moved to other nearby properties while the work was carried out.
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However, they received a letter from the housing association in September telling them they would be kicked out before Christmas.
After backlash from tenants and local councillors, this was delayed until March.
Umer said: "At the moment, I'm not even qualified for a one bedroom flat. Because I'm claiming Universal Credit.
"I have no shame that my situation is like this and so many hundreds of people are like this too. I have no shame in saying that."
He added that he has been offered an L&Q apartment nearby, but the rent of £2,500 per month is unaffordable and that he feels the company is 'making fun' of him by offering such expensive housing.
The dad says he is now using a credit card to pay for travel and his wages have taken a significant hit since he moved in.
The developer claims it "needs the block to temporarily rehome other residents on the estate" during repair work over the next four years.
Residents claim the Tenant's Resident Association was not consulted and many have turned down one-to-one meetings with L&Q because they want to fight the plans as a group.
An L&Q spokesperson said: "We understand how upsetting this situation will be for the privately rented tenants at Goodwood Apartments and are very sorry for this.
"Ending their private tenancies was a very difficult decision which was taken to minimise disruption for the majority of residents at Stadium Place while we undertake works to ensure their safety."
They added that they were "working closely" with residents, denying claims that they had not been consulted properly, and that they would delay the evictions until the new year.
They also said that a discretionary payment of £5,000 will be offered to each resident "in recognition of the inconvenience" caused by the repairs.
The statement concluded by saying: "The safety and security of our residents is our top priority and L&Q has committed to bringing the development up to the high standards residents deserve, including covering the costs of remedial and upgrade works.
"We are working closely with residents, the local authority and other partners to address these issues and will support them throughout and beyond our programme of works."
Section 21 allow landlords to evict tenants without a particular reason.
For example they may be used by owners who wish to move back into a property.
Tenants can challenge the eviction on a number of grounds, including a landlord charging a deposit of more than five weeks' rent or depending on the type of tenancy they have.
Section 21 cannot be used to evict residents on a fixed term tenancy, for example.
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However, it is important that tenants continue to pay rent even if served with an Section 21 notice, or they could be evicted even if they successfully challenge the initial notice.
If you are served with a Section 21 notice, full advice can be found online through Citizens' Advice.
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