Council writes to tenants warning of possible eviction if convicted of riot offences

A London borough has sent letters to 35 tenants warning them that they could face eviction if they or members of their household are convicted of offences related to the recent riots in the capital.

Southwark Council suggested it could rely on grounds set out under the Housing Acts, including breaches of the tenancy agreement.

“Under the terms of agreement, all tenants and their household members are forbidden from causing nuisance, property damage and anti-social or criminal activities,” the local authority said.

“Breaches of the agreement render them liable to eviction. The Housing Act also sets out grounds for eviction due to tenancy breaches, nuisance, anti-social and criminal behaviour.”

Cllr Ian Wingfield, Southwark's Cabinet Member for Housing, said the authority wanted to send a “clear message” to the individuals involved that if they were convicted there would be serious consequences to their actions.

"This is not a decision we take lightly, but we really need to send a message in no uncertain terms,” he added.

The council suggested it would consider any application to evict on a case-by-case basis with advice from the police and other agencies, before taking it to a hearing before a county court judge.

“Council officers have started carrying out face to face visits to all those identified as part of this process and to make sure that any possible enforcement action, if applied at all, is proportionate,” Southwark said.

The local authority added that sanctions other than eviction – such as ASBOs and acceptable behaviour contracts – may be appropriate, for example where vulnerable or very young people are involved.

It also said it would look at using ‘demoted tenancy’ powers.