Evictions
Our position on evictions
Vicky Bonner, Director of Customer Services, for Affinity
Sutton, said: "Over the last year, the number of
residents evicted has fallen by over 15% as we continue to work to
keep households together in their home. We take our
responsibility to all our residents very seriously and we are
committed to tackling antisocial behaviour with every report of
antisocial behaviour logged on our database and investigated, where
appropriate.
"We are keen to retain the legal powers we currently utilise, to
ensure our communities remain safe and pleasant environments for
our residents. Whilst we welcome any changes that will make the
process easier once a decision has been made we continue to view
eviction as a last resort. Our aim is for residents to maintain
their tenancies, help them maximise their income and to pay their
rent.
"During 2010/11, we received 3012
reports of anti-social behaviour and resolved 2641 cases with 13
residents evicted as a result of serious anti-social behaviour.
"Our customer satisfaction with how we are tackling antisocial
behaviour has risen from 60.6% to 71% in 2010/11
"We introduced starter tenancies for all new residents and
demoted tenancies for perpetrators.
"The introduction of benefit caps and the prospective end of
housing benefit direct to landlords will make it difficult to
maintain our currently low level of arrears evictions and we fear
that these changes will lead to a significant increase in debt,
arrears and tenants losing their homes.
"We are not a statutory body and we will not assume the
responsibilities which are properly those of the police, local
authorities and other enforcement bodies."