Although it is a criminal offence for landlords to evict tenants without satisfactory notice, there’s been evidence of landlords evicting tenants illegally. As the charity, Shelter commented: “Increasingly, we are seeing signs that the Olympics are exacerbating these problems, with some landlords looking to evict tenants and re-let their homes to Olympic visitors, without any guarantee that they will be filled.”

During the Olympics, over 900,000 athletes, their families, journalists and other staff will need to be accommodated, in addition to the 1.4 million tourists London receives in the summer and those who are coming to see the Olympics.

While evicting current tenants with the hope of letting their properties for thousands of pounds per week sounds like a good opportunity to many landlords, it is making the housing situation in London worse for many low to middle income households. If a landlord evicts a tenant illegally, it is also a criminal offence. As Housing Minister, Grant Shapps said: “Landlords should be under no doubt that it is a criminal offence for them to evict a tenant without giving proper notice, and that anyone found guilty of doing this or of harassing a tenant  – could lead to a custodial sentence of up to two years.”

Increased demand for short-term lets in certain London boroughs such as Greenwich, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Dagenham, due to the Olympics, has also resulted in a 30% weekly increase in rent since January.

Tenants who have to leave their property will face uncertainty and increased rents, while tenants who decide to stay might have to pay up to four times their usual rent.

The National Landlords Association has also condemned the practice, emphasising that it can be much more beneficial for landlords to keep long-term and reliable tenants.

This potential increase in evictions in London in the run-up to the Olympic Games coupled with the economic recession and high unemployment levels will potentially lead to more serious housing problems in London. As Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter has emphasised, investment in decent, secure and affordable housing in London should be a priority now and in the future as well, in order to avoid serious problems.

To ensure that you are not evicted either legally or illegally because of the Olympic Games or any other reason, it is crucial to know your rights and obligations as a tenant. It is your obligation to keep up with rental payments. To avoid the threat of eviction on a very short notice, try to sign a contract with your landlord according to which your landlord has to give you at least one month of legal notice before moving. If your landlord tries to evict or force you out of the property without a legal notice, you could sue him for damages. If you are ever concerned about the possibility of eviction, it is always recommended to get legal advice.

If you need residential conveyancing or legal advice about renting a property, tenancy agreements, mortgages or commercial property, contact Morgan Kelly Solicitors to find out more about our legal services.

Photo © Alastair Ross