A property owner has criticised the “broken system" of temporary accommodation in a Norfolk market town.
Ercan Demiralay, who owns three properties in Dereham and has previously worked with district councils to house vulnerable groups, has voiced his frustrations.
His comments follow months of speculation from locals and politicians over the impact of temporary housing in the town.
Dereham has been used by councils from across Norfolk and Suffolk to house individuals and families via emergency accommodation.
Fears have previously been raised about Dereham becoming a “dumping ground” for ex-offenders after more than 100 people with a criminal history were rehoused in the town in a 12-month period.
Single mothers have also spoken out about the negative reality of being rehoused in Dereham by district councils.
Mr Demiralay said: “The system is broken.
“Most councils in Britain are stretched financially and they don't have enough staff to monitor properties and see what’s going on.”
There are believed to be multiple properties housing people sent by councils in and around Dereham town centre.
Landlords of known accommodation venues in the town have previously faced a large proportion of the criticisms, yet Mr Demiralay insisted that the blame lies at the feet of all parties involved.
He said: “The tenants usually cause a lot of damage because they're short term and then landlords are asked to deal with the consequences.
“But the council isn't deliberately trying to make life difficult for landlords, it’s a wider problem.”
While he admitted councils pay above market prices for the emergency housing, Mr Demiliary said he no longer works with the authorities due to his concerns.
His London-based property company, Demiralay Properties Ltd, has recently won approval to convert 66 Norwich Road in Dereham into a house in multiple occupation (HMO).
He said it will be rented privately, and wants the property to be “a nice place where people can live without any hassle”.
Objections had been raised in the planning process about the impact the change will have on the residential character of the area.
Share