28 Comments
User's avatar
Lindsay Mackie's avatar

Astonishing digging from London Centric. Shows the absolute importance of having local news in a city like London

Andrew Shields's avatar

More brilliant work! Keep piling the pressure on.

MRAC's avatar

Jim v Aziz, round 7 — keep ‘em coming!!

Andrew Shields's avatar

Also should have mentioned that Criterion Capital deleted public comments made by the Save the Central YMCA campaign on their LinkedIn posts. They are hyper-sensitive to this kind of criticism.

Reena's avatar

Thank you for keeping the pressure and making this family accountable.

John's avatar

The loop of:

- Landlords put up rent rates each year, because... Markets

- So then other landlords put up their rent (supply/regulation issue)

- People struggle, some end up need support from the council

- Councils are desperate for accomodation, and haven't built much social housing (and being sold off continuously for private gain)

- Some landlords decides it's easier to rent to the council, maybe only a bit below market rate, certainly not council rates.

- Landlords still make a chunk of change. Rents still go up annually. People and councils are desperately poor.

It's probably a bit much to say everything has to do with housing. But the massive growth in wealth inequality (less so income), could probably explained by the above. Credit to Gary's Economics for banging that particular drum.

Vuk Radojevic Vukovic's avatar

Jim & Team,

More tremendous journalism, up to the very highest standards. I am in awe of your tenacity, dedication and work month over month. I just maxed out my subscription - you’ll need all the support you can get against this grim cadre.

Thank you!

Maggie Rosen's avatar

@Londoncentric: don't let up. councils that are potential "clients" - i.e. encouraged/targeted by Criterion to use their properties for short-term housing - should be warned/named and shamed/possibly prevented.

The units vacated by bona fide rent-paying tenants, under false pretence, should be forced to remain empty.

How can we, as concerned members of the public, help address this?

Thornton Jones's avatar

Like a terrier at his ankle. Don’t let go!

Aaaa's avatar

Thank you thank you! Despicable that they tried to pull this stunt AND profit from councils who are squeezed for cash.

Eleanor Durrant's avatar

A silly letter from Carter-Ruck! You have Made It! I feel like you should get a telegram from Ian Hislop or something

Chris P's avatar

Well done Jim!

Sadiq needs to answer many questions and put pressure on his friend Aziz. Otherwise, he cannot be serious for a fourth term in the office.

Eva's avatar

Great journalistic work! It really is a sad story how ruthless Aziz controlled entities are. But most depressing it that they get away with it. I hope that the initiative of the councillor to ban all cooperation with this company gets the support from other London councils.

Jacobo's avatar

Obviously tenants should seek legal advice and if they have the stomach for it, resist giving up possession until there is a court order. Obtaining possession on the basis of a s21 can be a minefield for landlords and given the billionare's cavallier attitued, it seems plausible there has been plenty of non-compliance with their landlord's obligations.

Depending on their income, tenants may be entitled to legal aid

Chris Patten's avatar

Carter Ruck. Add Private Eye and search. It's a shame that Global Counsel have closed down as they would be the perfect fit.

Lucy Haydon's avatar

Keep going, you’re clearly making a difference