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Elders’ homes contracts are torn up
TENANCY contracts protecting pensioners from eviction and rent hikes were torn up when a group of elderly residents were forced to leave their homes, it has been revealed.
Tenants living in Macintosh House, a block of flats in Beaumont Street, Marylebone, had “secure” tenancy agreements – ensuring their homes were for life.
But their contracts were downgraded when the building was officially closed in March after the council found it did not meet standards.
Two-dozen elderly residents were moved into other accommodation and some were given “assured” tenancies.
The one remaining Macintosh resident, Sante Zanello, 68, maintains conditions are better than anything else he has been offered and refuses to leave the block.
He said: “How can they say they are moving me into a better situation when the tenancy agreement is worse? Why were we not told we would lose our secure tenancy? That is aside from the conditions in the other homes. Macintosh House is still the best place to live and I will not leave.”
He added: “If I was on an assured tenancy the council would have been able to kick me out a long time ago.”
Since March the council has removed the television, paintings and pool table from Mr Zanello’s home.
Westminster City Council’s deputy director of housing Steve Moore said: “Arguably housing associations can gain access to these units more readily than secure tenancies but, in practice, assured tenancies are just as protected given that housing associations have to abide by Housing Corporation rules and regulations which protect the rights of tenants.”
He added: “Only six former residents of Macintosh House have moved into housing association properties and this has happened with their complete consent.”
Mr Zanello was head waiter at the Dorchester and Savoy hotels before retiring and moving to Macintosh House. |
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