Charity set to evict 200 tenants in Leith

Established in 1954 by Miss Agnes Hunter, the trust owns over 100 flats in Lorne Street. The properties were built by her father in the 1870s and since then have been let by the Hunter family to the people of Leith. Miss Hunter herself lived for many years in Leith until she died in 1954.

The trust has decided to dispose all of its properties within 3-4 years to re-invest the income and with a view to increasing the amount available for distribution to charities. Since receiving notification of the plans back in June, residents have begun work to establish a housing co-operative, the Lorne Community Association (LCA), in a bid to raise funds to buy their homes from the Trust.

Campaigners say the trust is refusing their request to give them a year to turn the homes into a cooperative.

Instead the 200 tenants living in the homes have been given four months statutory notice to quit and find alternative rented accommodation.

Now local politicians including Deidre Brock MP, Malcolm Chisholm MSP and councillors Nick Gardner, Angela Blacklock and Cammy Day are backing a petition to save the 100 families affected and have urged trustees to put the evictions on hold to enable tenants to get a business plan together.

Petitioner Melanie Weigang said: “Over 200 tenants in Lorne Street, Leith are facing eviction.

“We ask that City of Edinburgh Council does everything possible within its powers, including financial support, to support the tenants to save the community and to set up a housing co-op.”

A statement, released on behalf of the trustees, states that they originally planned to sell off the entire property portfolio in a ‘programme’ set to last three to four years.

It explains: “We are aware of the petition lodged with City of Edinburgh Council. The trustees are in discussion with residents and their representatives regarding their desire to look at the possibility of establishing a housing co-operative.

“In light of this, since the beginning of September, the Trust has placed a moratorium on any further notices to terminate leases.

“We have given assurances to Cllr Cammy Day and tenants that the Trust will give tenants and the council up to the 6th January 2016 to report back on the viability of and potential for a tenants’ co-operative at Lorne Street.

“As part of this work, our agents, Rettie and Co, have issued a letter to all tenants seeking confirmation of their tenancy agreements and individual leases.

“The Trust will reconvene in January to reassess all the information available to them at that time.”

The statement also added: “There are approximately 100 tenants on short assured tenancies who are affected in Edinburgh and the Trust is in contact with them all to tell them of the Trust’s plans and offer information and support.

“They have been informed that short term tenants who have lived in a property for less than four years will be given two months’ notice of the non-renewal of their leases.

“Medium term tenants of four to eight years’ duration are being offered four months’ notice and long term tenants of eight or more years are to receive six months’ notice, extending the contractual notice period which currently stands for each lease.

“However, we are aware that everyone has different circumstances and we want to be as helpful as possible.

“The programme will start with tenants who have been in place for the shortest periods of time, so that tenants who have been there for longer periods of time will only be affected towards the end of the scheme giving them longer to make other arrangements.

“There are also a small number of tenants on regulated or assured tenancies. Their tenancies are not affected and it is the Trust’s intention to sell these remaining properties to another landlord in due course.”

Speaking on behalf of the council, housing convenor Cammy Day confirmed he had already met with both the tenants and the trustees on two separate occasions.

He said: “I think it’s been unfortunate that this has happened and I personally don’t agree that it’s the best thing for the Trust to be doing, however, that’s the Trust’s decision and I respect that. I understand the stress and the worry that tenants at Lorne are going through and I appreciate the support that they’re getting in helping them to set up a co-operative.

“The Trust yesterday assured me that they’re 100 per cent genuine in trying to get the best outcome for the tenants, and if there’s a requirement for a 12 or 18 month extension, they are interested in that, as long as there’s a genuine commitment that people are looking to do this.”