A former city councillor has slammed the city council's after a resident who has lived in his home for 27 years was served an eviction order.

As previously reported, Jonathan Marsh, 48, has lived in a flat in Sussex Street since 1997 and has been served four eviction notices in the last four years. 

The property is owned by Winchester City Council and has been operated by Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA). However, the lease recently expired, meaning it has returned to the city council's stocklist. 

Mr Marsh is again facing eviction from a council whose leader has publicly criticised no-fault evictions.

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In a cabinet meeting last year, council leader Martin Tod criticised the use of no fault evictions. At the meeting, he said: “As a former employee of Shelter, the housing homelessness charity, and as a current supporter of that charity I have strong views on the use of section 21 grounds of possession. I’m very pleased to hear that it is being phased out.

“The council has a statutory duty to help people avoid homelessness and we are not supportive of section 21 grounds possession.”

Former city councillor Ian Tait raised Mr Marsh's case at a cabinet meeting held at the Guildhall on Wednesday, May 22, saying that another flat in the building which had previously been occupied had been vacated and been left empty.

Hampshire Chronicle: Former city councillor Ian Tait raised Mr Marsh's case at a cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, May 22Former city councillor Ian Tait raised Mr Marsh's case at a cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, May 22 (Image: Newsquest)

Ian Tait said: "I am shocked and extremely disappointed that this council has authorised the register provider landlord to apply to Winchester County Court for a section 21 no fault eviction order. The property in question which leaders will be aware of is in the ward of the council's portfolio holder for housing, and the council has confirmed they want the property returned to its possession.

"If the judge confirms the order, then the tenant of 27 years will be homeless and the council will be obliged to offer housing advice and options. This is exactly what happened in 2022 when the tenant of the other flat in the building was evicted. That flat remains empty to this day.

"To my mind, the council is acting no differently than that of a rogue landlord, precisely what the legislation is attempting to get rid of.

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"The leader's protestations about the injustice of the use of section 21 no-fault eviction orders are mere words lacking any real commitment or action. The leader could immediately halt the eviction process and arrange for the tenant to be rehoused as was the case with the other occupant of the building.

"This whole sequence of events is simply wrong, and I have to wonder if the leader is considering his own position and possibly thinking of resigning over this scandalous injustice and if not I suggest you think seriously about this. The council is more interested in properties and investment than someone's home."

Council leader, Martin Tod said: "I am not in a position to talk about individual circumstances although I can talk about the building. The reason the flat remains empty is because the building was surveyed in 2017 and again in 2021 and it showed there were problems with subsidence meaning we are not in a position to relet anything in that building until major construction work has been done and the building made safe for occupation

"That is one of the things we wish to do, and make two flats are made available to the public and two people have the opportunity to live there. The second thing to say is that this council takes this responsibility very seriously and we offer support and a housing place before a section 21 notice is implemented.

"That is what we would expect to do for everyone and that is no different in this case. Nobody is going to be homeless in this process, and that is an absolute commitment. We do have officers present who are able to help with any paperwork to ensure the housing offer can be implemented and realise this is entirely a matter for Mr Marsh but if he wishes to talk to someone today we will sort out the paperwork to resolve this situation.

"We are the organisation that supports people when they are served section 21 notices. That is the situation here, and our commitment to be a leading council ensuring that the residents of Winchester do not undergo homelessness and wherever possible avoid the use of temporary accommodation, which we certainly intend to avoid in this case, remains absolute.”