Housing Campaigners Demand Council Action as Corporate Landlord BMR Group Targets More Than 100 Families
Tenants on the St James Estate in the London Borough of Southwark are fighting mass evictions and unaffordable rent rises after corporate landlord BMR Group Ltd began trying to force residents from their homes. Campaigners understand that BMR Group plans to convert the estate into unlicensed houses in multiple occupation, increasing rental income for the landlord.
In November 2025, Folio London, the private rental sector arm of Notting Hill Genesis housing association, sold the estate to BMR Group Ltd.
More than 100 families now face losing their homes. Fifty households have already been issued with ‘Section 21’ eviction notices, while others have been hit with rent rises of between £250 and £900 a month.
In May 2026, tenants came together to form an official Tenants and Residents Association (TRA) to help each other stay in their homes and resist mistreatment by their landlord.
Abigail Bunyan, a tenant from the estate who is facing eviction said:
“These houses are not an investment, they are homes that people have raised kids in, raised grandkids in, and the people of this community being treated like this is beyond detestable. This whole area is often described as a forgotten area within Southwark, and it’s the long term residents of this estate who should have a say in what happens here.”
“These homes have changed hands over the years through a series of private landlords. Meanwhile, residents have been raising families and building their lives on St James’ Estate.
“Some tenants were even nominated for placement here by Southwark Council to get them off the homelessness waiting list, leading them to believe they would enjoy some level of protection from the private rental market, only now to be told they will have to leave.”
A Community Under Threat
Residents say BMR’s actions amount to a direct assault on a community and social infrastructure built over 35 years. Tenants and residents supported by London Renters Union, ACORN, Southwark Independent Socialists, SHAC, Southwark Trades Union Council, and others are calling on the council to take a stand, oppose BMR’s actions, and implement the demands of the St James TRA.
Campaigners argue that BMR is a rogue landlord whose actions must be resisted, and that the Council has the powers and duties needed to intervene.
The St James tenants and residents are adamant that they will not be treated as numbers on a balance sheet instead of people and families who have built a community in the area stretching back across decades. BMR and Notting Hill Genesis, they say, have traded their homes as investments.
Urgent Demands on the Council
Under the Housing and Planning Act 2016 and the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, campaigners say the Council has a statutory duty to enforce housing standards. They are calling on the Council to:
- Use its investigatory powers urgently and fully: launch an immediate investigation into BMR’s actions on the estate.
- Reject HMO licence applications: refuse all applications from BMR to convert homes into HMOs.
- Seek a banning order: prevent BMR from renting out residential accommodation or playing any role in the property sector.
- Update the national rogue landlord database: ensure BMR is added to the National Database of Rogue Landlords and Property Agents.
- Blacklist BMR from public partnerships: exclude the company from all current and future Council procurement and partnership frameworks.
- Provide free legal advice: support tenants facing eviction, rent hikes, and landlord pressure.
More fundamentally, campaigners say the Council must support the TRA’s demand for the St James Estate to be taken out of the private rental market and brought under public ownership.
Other Councils Have Taken Action
Campaigners point to enforcement action by other local authorities as evidence that councils can and should act decisively against rogue landlords.
Bradford Council has been recognised as one of the first local authorities to use banning orders against owners of large HMO portfolios who had ignored significant financial penalties.
Northampton Council has fined a landlord more than £300,000 for renting out an unlicensed HMO, while Brent, Ealing, and Hastings have frequently used financial penalties and criminal prosecutions for failures to repair hazards or provide mandatory safety certificates.
Southwark Trades Union Council has contacted the leader of the council and key executive members and expects an urgent formal response outlining the steps the Council is taking to support residents on the estate.
SHAC and other campaign groups will continue working with tenants and residents on the St James estate, supporting the battle to keep their community intact.
For advice, guidance and handy templates on forming tenant and resident associations, see SHAC’s Resources.
6 July 2026
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I am fuming with rage at reading this story. Not only is this an attempt to deprive decent people of their homes – a Section 21 eviction with no fault attached says that – but it will – as the article says destroy the community if it goes ahead.
I also come at this from another angle as a Consultant Child Psychologist and Medical Doctor (SHAC have evidence of my claim). These evictions if they go ahead will destroy the physical and mental health of children who have already been through an epidemic. Housing is more than a building. It is homes – the place where children are cared for and nurtured. To disrupt it for mere profit show the utterly baseless nature of the present landlord and also the supposed social landlord Genesis.
I know there is already much support but I would also suggest another tactic might be to contact the E15 mums who I knew a long time ago and still are operating. focu15london@Gmail They might be able to help with tactics and if not that at least solidarity. While political strategy is important so is emotional support.
Much love, Dr LB.
Sorry I am brain damaged. The contact for the E15 mums correctly is:-
focus15london@Gmail.com
Still much love, Dr LB.