Just weeks before Christmas tenants of an entire south London block have been ordered to leave their homes within two months.
Around 150 residents of Vive Living in Deptford were served ‘no fault’ eviction notices this month after owner Aitch Group said the building needed to be refurbished - which some residents contest.
The evictions also affect the building’s cafe, with the married couple who run it saying they face being both losing their home and losing their livelihood.
Paulo Redal, 43, told the Independent: “We haven’t slept since receiving the eviction notice. This hasn’t just ruined our Christmas – it has ruined our whole life.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do – we’re going to lose both our home and our jobs.
“It’s not a big business and we don’t want to be rich – it’s just enough to cover rent and expenses. We live well, but that’s all going to go now.”
Resident Nicole Ka, a single mother, raised fears about the impact on her son’s education, saying it had added stress over Christmas time.
She told the BBC: "I'm trying to make Christmas nice, make things as normal as possible but this isn't normal. I don't want court proceedings.
“My son needs to go to school next year but I don't know where I'll be living to do the school admission forms.”
Another resident, Maryam Ahmed, 32, said she had only moved in six months ago before being given the eviction notice, even as she faces surgery for a health condition.
She told The Independent: “Receiving the recent eviction notice has turned my life upside down, leaving me overwhelmed and distressed.
“Instead of focusing on my health and recovery, I find myself scrambling to pack up my belongings – one-handed – and searching for a new place to live.
“The thought of delaying essential medical treatment because I need to prioritise relocating is devastating.”
A spokesperson for Aitch Group said a Section 21 notice had been issued to all tenants, and that none would be required to leave before Christmas.
The notice gives tenants two months to vacate, and is commonly known as a ‘no fault’ eviction notice as landlords are not required to provide a reason for the eviction.
The spokesperson said: “Aitch Group have issued a section 21 notice to tenants at the Vive Living development in Deptford to facilitate the refurbishment of the building.
“The tenants have been given required notice due, two months’ notice as a minimum, in accordance with their tenancy agreements. Aitch Group can confirm no one has been requested to depart before Christmas.
“Additionally, Aitch Group have facilitated early access to tenant deposits to assist with relocation costs and facilitating nearby alternative accommodation options within the area.”
