WOW! This is GREAT! Almost makes me want to become a land lord. Either a joke that went completely sideways or the Housing Company is really that stupid!
Eviction threat to residents in Christmas card
by David Black, The Journal
HOUSING bosses have apologized after sending out Christmas cards to residents threatening possible eviction over the festive period.
When Desmond Robson received what looked like a Christmas card in the post from his housing association he thought it would be another message wishing him well over the holidays.
But the only message greeting him was one telling him to make sure he paid his rent or he would be evicted from the home he has lived in for nearly two decades.
Mr Robson, 41, from Guidepost, Choppington, Northumberland, said: “I think it’s the most inappropriate Christmas card I’ve ever received in all my life.
“When I first opened the letter I thought, ‘that’s nice of them’. But then I opened it up and nearly fell off my seat. I was stunned by how rude and threatening it was.”
The card, which has a picture of Christmas presents adorning the cover, says: “Treating loved ones this year?”.
But the mood changes when its opened up as it shows pictures of removal boxes next to a sad young girl looking glum and hugging a teddy bear.
Aside the picture, the card states: “Make sure you pay your rent or you could be packing more than presents.”
Bernicia – the parent company for housing association, Wansbeck Homes – said the intention of the campaign was to remind residents that rent is a priority over Christmas.
Mr Robson, an unemployed dad-of-two, added: “It’s like my landlords are gangsters. Threatening to evict someone at Christmas is one of the cruelest things you can do.
“Why anyone would send out this message over the festive holidays is beyond me. It’s meant to be a happy time when everyone is kind to each other.
“I think the person who came up with this idea has made a gross error of judgment.
“I’m glad Bernicia has realized the error of their ways and have been big enough to apologize. I think people will respect them for that.”
A spokesperson from Bernicia said: “We work throughout the year with our tenants and partner agencies to offer debt advice so collectively we can help and support our customers pay their rent.
“We fully appreciate that at this time of the year, people can find themselves under financial pressure as their limited resources are stretched.
“The intention of the campaign was to remind tenants that paying their rent should remain a priority as the last thing we want is for anybody to get into serious difficulties in the New Year.
“We only ever evict as an absolute last resort and we apologize to anybody who has been left upset by the campaign.”
Reverend Glyn Evans, vicar at St Andrew’s Church in Newcastle, labeled the housing company “Scrooge”.
He said: “Christmas is meant to be a time of forgiveness and new starts for people, but this is going against everything that Christmas is meant to be about.
“There are good ways and bad ways to get messages across to people, and this is certainly the wrong way.
“The housing company should have encouraged residents to pay their rent, rather than threatening them with eviction.”
Read More http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2010/12/10/eviction-threat-to-residents-in-christmas-card-61634-27800522/#ixzz18D30v7lU
