More than 100 tenants renting homes owned by billionaire landlord Asif Aziz’s company are slapped with eviction notice – weeks before new law comes into force
More than 100 tenants renting homes owned by billionaire landlord Asif Aziz’s company faced eviction notices in as little as two months; This was weeks before a landmark new law came into force that eliminated ‘no-fault’ clawbacks.
Residents renting from Criterion Capital were served with Section 21 notices, the mechanism that allows landlords to repossess their property without giving a legal reason.
Although the practice will be outlawed in the UK on May 1, Criterion Capital, which owns high-profile assets in London such as the Trocadero Centre, denies ‘any attempt to accelerate’ evictions before the new law comes into force.
The buildings affected are believed to be Britannia Point in Colliers Wood, Delta Point in Croydon and Emerald House in New Malden. There are a total of 606 flats in the buildings.
The situation reached the highest levels of government; The Prime Minister ordered the Housing Secretary to investigate, while the Mayor of London described the move as ‘unacceptable’.
The CEO of Criterion Capital is billionaire Mr. Aziz. In 2008 he was estimated to be worth £79 million on The Sunday Times’ Rich List.
He made headlines in 2005 when he bought the Trocadero entertainment complex in Piccadilly Circus for £225 million.
He also runs a charity which sponsors community events such as the 2026 Ramadan lights in central London.
Billionaire landlord Asif Aziz’s company Criterion Capital has issued ‘no-fault’ Section 21 eviction notices to residents, exploiting a legal loophole that allows properties to be repossessed without specific justification
The buildings affected are believed to be Britannia Point in Colliers Wood, Delta Point in Croydon and Emerald House in New Malden (Image: Delta Point in Croydon)
Alessio Ambrosj and his partner rented a flat at Britannia Point in Colliers Wood, south-west London, privately for four years and said they received notice from the landlord to terminate their lease within two months, the BBC reported.
Mr Ambrosj said: ‘Two months is madness. It’s like moving your house to another place in two months. It’s incredibly difficult, incredibly unfair.
‘It was a shock to be honest. It was shocking that this was legal. I think it will deeply shake many families, families with disabled children, it will be a very difficult time for them.’
At Prime Minister’s Questions last week, Mitcham and Morden MP Siobhain McDonagh told Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer: ‘Quietly and in semi-secrecy, London and the South East of England are experiencing the largest mass eviction by a private landlord in decades.
‘Criterion Capital has carried out at least 130 no-fault releases across its portfolio, including Britannia Point in my constituency. ‘Those affected have done nothing wrong.’
Ms McDonagh told the Daily Mail: ‘Hundreds of law-abiding tenants are facing homelessness in one of the largest mass evictions by a private landlord in decades.
‘These tenants did nothing wrong. They paid their rent, took care of their home, worked hard, and now they are in danger of losing their home.
‘At least 130 no-fault eviction notices have been issued across the Criterion Capital portfolio, including Britannia Point in my constituency.
From 1 May 2026, the use of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions will be officially abolished for all new and existing tenants in England (Image: Britannia Point in Colliers Wood)
‘Tenants are being told to contact Criterion Capital if they want to stay, but many say their calls and emails go unanswered. As far as residents can see, these evacuations are still continuing.
‘In the final weeks before Section 21 no-fault evictions are lifted, it is critical that rogue landlords like Criterion Capital are held accountable.’
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has written to billionaire Mr Aziz over allegations that his property company is carrying out ‘mass evictions’ of London residents using soon-to-be-banned Section 21 notices.
From 1 May 2026, the use of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions will be officially abolished for all new and existing tenants in England.
This landmark change removes the ability for landlords to repossess a property without legal justification; It’s a practice that housing campaigners have long argued contributes to tenant instability and homelessness.
Under the new regime, any landlord wishing to end a tenancy must instead serve a Section 8 notice, citing specific, provable grounds, such as rent arrears, anti-social behavior or an intention to sell the property.
There is a critical ‘buffer’ period for notifications made immediately before the transition. Landlords who serve a valid Chapter 21 notice on or before April 30, 2026 may still pursue eviction through the courts.
However, they must officially begin court proceedings by July 31, 2026.
The May 1 start date also triggers a broader suite of protections under the Tenants’ Rights Act.
These include a ban on ‘rental bidding wars’, which makes it illegal for estate agents or landlords to accept offers above the advertised price.
Additionally, landlords will be prohibited from demanding more than a month’s rent in advance, and the blanket ban will no longer apply to tenants who have children or receive government assistance.
Criterion told DM there had been no attempt to step up action ahead of the change in legislation and said: ‘Allegations of mass evictions regarding private tenants paying market rents are false.
‘They misrepresent routine and statutory tenancy management… The tenancies in question are private arrangements at market rents subject to the standard framework.
‘Less than 5% of the portfolio has been notified…we will continue to communicate directly with our tenants and ensure all processes are carried out legally and responsibly.’
