The new landlord of a block of flats in Whitehaven has served eviction notices on all its tenants, according to the local MP.
The Slipway, on Whitehaven Harbour, has been bought by SGL 5 Limited.
Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven & Workington said he had been approached by several people living there, claiming that they – and everyone else living there – had been served with eviction notices, giving them two months to find another home.
The new landlord had used legal powers for a no-fault evictions – so it does not need to give a reason.
The Government is aiming to ban no-fault evictions in England by next summer. The Renters’ Reform Bill includes a blanket ban on no-fault evictions, which means landlords will need a valid reason to end a tenancy.
Mr MacAlister and Emma Williamson, deputy leader of Cumberland Council, have written to the firm’s director.
They said: “Some of these tenants have lived there for decades and many will struggle to find alternative accommodation, especially at such short notice. This sort of practice is completely unacceptable and we would ask you to rethink this decision.
“At an absolute minimum, we would expect you to give people sufficient time to find alternative accommodation and to engage constructively with residents. We’re told no has even been available from your company to respond to queries from residents.”
SGL 5 operates from Altrincham. A company which shares the same address and shares a director has a phone number, but it was no longer in service when Cumbria Crack tried to get in touch.
