Welcome to the Heygate & Aylesbury Leaseholders Action Group(H.A.L.A.G). We are a group of leaseholders who have got together as a result of Southwark Council’s plans to compulsory purchase our homes in order to make way for the coming regeneration scheme.
The council has under-sold our homes from under our feet to private developers, in a gentrification scheme aimed at squeezing out the existing low-income community and enticing high-worth individuals to the area.
To add insult to injury the council is refusing to compensate leaseholders for the true market value of our homes. There is a significant difference between the council’s valuation of our homes and the price of other properties in the area. This is resulting in many of us being forced to move out of the area and in some cases London altogether.
The compulsory purchase of homes by local authorities is bound by strict legislation. We believe that the council is failing to act in accordance with this legislation on three separate counts:
We aim to achieve the following:
- Ensure the council abides by statutory CPO legislation in its ‘Voluntary Negotiations’. This means re-assessing its valuation methods, dropping its cap on surveyors’ fees and providing rehousing without restrictions.
- Re-instatement of retained-equity options promised in the original leaseholders agreement.
- Obtain true market value for our homes. This includes referring the case to the Lands Tribunal if necessary, in order that we are given a fair deal and may remain home-owners in the borough.
We meet on a regular basis and hold open drop-ins and general meetings. Our aim is to try and get the best possible deal for all leaseholders and make sure their rights are respected. Our purpose is also to offer as much advice, help and support as we can.
