Beckett attacks 'unscrupulous' landlords over evictions 'scandal' » Housing » 24dash.com

Unscrupulous sale-and-rent-back landlords who threaten to evict hard-pressed families were attacked for "scandalous" practices by Housing Minister Margaret Beckett today.

Mrs Beckett said it was a "very serious and alarming issue" and ministers were looking to see what could be done.

The issue was raised at Commons question time by Labour's Stephen Hepburn who called for "curbs" to be put on the landlords.

Families struggling to keep up mortgage payments may turn to sale-and-rent-back firms who will buy their property then rent it back to them.

Mr Hepburn (Jarrow) said: "Companies in the current credit crunch are going round buying up properties off families at vastly reduced prices with the promise that they can stay in there and rent their family home only to be kicked out on the street six months later."

Mrs Beckett said: "You raise a very serious and very alarming issue. I am aware indeed that scandalous behaviour is occurring.

"I can assure you we are looking to see what we can do to heavily discourage such behaviour.

"Clearly it is very alarming and very much not only to the disadvantage of the individual families but to the disadvantage of the whole sector in the long term."