Social tenants facing eviction

10:33am Wednesday 14th May 2008

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UP TO 70 social housing tenants could be forced out of their homes and on to the streets of Weymouth following a row over housing benefits, a landlord has claimed.

Ralph Ricardo, who offers affordable housing in eight properties across the town, says he has had to evict a dozen tenants and is warning that more could follow.

He has handed eviction notices to tenants at Landor Guest House in Lennox Street, after the housing benefits they received from Weymouth and Portland Borough Council were suspended.

Mr Ricardo and business partner Alistair Gordon provide affordable accommodation for approximately 70 people in the resort, many of whom are recovering drug addicts or alcoholics who would not be able to find accommodation elsewhere.

He said: "They asked us for a list of all our tenants, which we provided them with, and they have suspended a number of the claims.

"At the moment we have had to evict 12 tenants but the same could go for other houses. It could quite easily become 70."

Coun Mike Goodman, council spokesman for housing, said: "I can confirm that payment of housing benefits to Mr Ricardo in respect of 17 of his tenants has been suspended whilst the council carries out further investigations into the claims being made.

"If it is established that the claims being made are justified the payments to Mr Ricardo will be reinstated."

Coun Goodman added: "If Mr Ricardo decides to evict any of the tenants whilst this investigation is being conducted there are laid down legal procedures he will need to follow.

"The council's housing advice centre can provide advice to tenants whose landlord is threatening them with eviction."

However, Mr Ricardo said he had inspected several tenants' paperwork and could not understand the council's decision to suspend the claims.

He said many of the tenants struggled when it came to filling out the forms required and that he was disillusioned by the lack of support as he tried to help address the urgent need for more affordable housing places in the borough.

James Walker, 32, a tenant at Landor Guest House, is a recovering heroin addict who spent six years on the streets of Weymouth.

He said: "It's the first place I've felt safe. Ralph gave me a chance - since I've been here I've been stable and I have not offended for two years."

His brother Justyn, 36, has been in and out of prison for 18 years. He said: "Ralph and Alistair have offered me support."

Mr Ricardo said he would, reluctantly, convert the building to its original use as a commercial guest house as it was the only way he could keep the premises operating financially.