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The Prime Minister has officially ordered a high-level investigation into a developing housing scandal as billionaire landlord Asif Aziz and his firm, Criterion Capital, face accusations of clearing residential blocks just weeks before the historic May 1 ban on no-fault evictions. At the center of the storm is Delta Point in Croydon, where hundreds of residents have reportedly been served Section 21 notices, giving them as little as two months to vacate. Local leaders describe the situation as a calculated attempt to utilize a closing legal loophole before the Renters’ Rights Act 2026 renders such moves illegal.
Political Backlash
The scale of the displacement has unified political opposition, with former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner visiting Delta Point this week to label the firm's actions as "disgusting and disgraceful." Rayner accused the billionaire of treating human beings "like a spreadsheet," while London Mayor Sadiq Khan has formally threatened to boycott Criterion Capital from all future local government housing contracts. Despite the firm’s claims that these are "routine management" issues affecting less than 5% of their portfolio, the Prime Minister has tasked Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook with a full review of the case to prevent a homelessness surge in South London.
Future Legal Deadlines
The conflict serves as a final test for the incoming Renters’ Rights Act. While Section 21 remains technically legal until April 30, 2026, any landlord attempting to enforce these notices must initiate court proceedings by July 31. Beyond this date, the new regime will mandate that all evictions provide specific, evidenced grounds such as property sale or significant rent arrears. For the tenants at Delta Point and Britannia Point, the next 60 days will determine whether they are forced into an overcrowded rental market or if emergency government intervention can freeze the proceedings in time.
Divided Public Debate
While many officials condemn the move, public opinion remains split on where the blame lies. Some residents, like Mandy H, argue that the landlord is not "rogue" but simply reacting to restrictive new legislation. "When you rent someone else's property, they can take it back at any time," she noted, suggesting the Renters' Rights Act itself has caused landlords to reclaim properties to avoid being "locked in" with tenants. Others point to groups like Shelter and Generation Rent, claiming their lobbying efforts for the new law have backfired, leading to mass evictions and the "highest rents we've ever seen" rather than the tenant protection originally promised.
