Imagine waking up to the news that you’re about to be evicted from your home, through no fault of your own, just as new laws are set to protect renters. This was the terrifying reality for hundreds of Londoners, until a shocking exposé by London Centric revealed a plan by billionaire landlord Asif Aziz’s company, Criterion Capital, to carry out what could have been one of the capital’s most devastating mass evictions in recent memory. But here’s where it gets controversial: after intense political pressure from London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Aziz’s company abruptly halted the evictions, leaving many to wonder whether this was a genuine change of heart or a strategic retreat. And this is the part most people miss: the evictions were allegedly part of a scheme to replace private tenants with temporary housing units funded by public money—a move that could have lined Aziz’s pockets at taxpayers’ expense.
The crisis began when tenants across London received notices giving them just two months to vacate their homes. One tenant, who had never missed a payment and had always cared for her property, described spending the weekend in tears, fearing homelessness. ‘I did everything right, and I was still getting kicked out,’ she said. The scale of the planned evictions was staggering, affecting hundreds of flats owned by the Aziz family, with the true number possibly even higher. According to insiders, the plan was to repurpose these flats as temporary accommodation, a far more lucrative arrangement paid for by local councils using public funds.
Here’s where it gets even more contentious: just days after the eviction notices were issued, tenants were told it had all been a ‘misunderstanding’ based on ‘rumors’ and ‘false information’ spread by journalists. Baffled residents reported being asked to record videos declaring they no longer wished to be evicted, with no written confirmation provided. One tenant, Becky, described the experience as ‘unnerving,’ saying, ‘Everyone’s just really scared. We don’t know what to believe.’
Sadiq Khan’s intervention was notable, given his past public endorsements of the Aziz family’s philanthropic efforts, including their funding of London’s Ramadan lights. Yet, his spokesperson issued a scathing statement, calling the evictions ‘completely unacceptable.’ Deputy Mayor for Housing Tom Copley wrote directly to Aziz, accusing him of trying to bypass the upcoming Renters’ Rights Act, which strengthens tenant protections. ‘To evict tenants shortly before the implementation of the Act would be a short-sighted and cynical attempt to bypass the rules,’ Copley wrote.
But here’s the real question: Is Asif Aziz, who claims ‘tackling homelessness’ as one of his life’s main objectives, truly committed to this cause? His family’s charitable arm, the Aziz Foundation, partners with homelessness charities like Centrepoint, yet the tenants threatened with eviction have been indirectly funding these PR-friendly activities through their rent payments. Meanwhile, Criterion Capital has refused to repay the £3 million spent by Merton Council on emergency scaffolding for one of their buildings, leaving local taxpayers to foot the bill.
The sudden U-turn has left many tenants relieved but wary. While some, like one resident who credited London Centric’s reporting with ‘turning this around for probably thousands of people,’ are grateful, others are already looking for new landlords. ‘I don’t want to pay my money to that type of company,’ one tenant said.
As the dust settles, here’s a thought-provoking question for you: Should landlords like Asif Aziz be allowed to profit from public funds meant to address homelessness, especially when their actions contribute to the very problem they claim to solve? And what responsibility do politicians like Sadiq Khan have in holding them accountable? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
This investigation began with a single tip and grew into a city-wide exposé, thanks to the support of our subscribers. If you’ve got a story we should look into, get in touch. And if you’re a Criterion Capital employee with insights to share, we guarantee confidentiality. Together, we can keep shining a light on the issues that matter most.
