The Poppy Factory, a charity that supports veterans with health conditions, has drawn criticism from the government after serving Section 21 eviction notices on tenants in Richmond upon Thames. The charity told tenants in a small number of privately rented flats on its residential estate last month that it was raising rents to reflect local market levels – with those who cannot afford the increases facing no-fault eviction under the current rules.
Government condemns charity’s approach
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government issued a sharp rebuke, stating: “There’s absolutely no requirement to increase rent to full market levels ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force, and charities using legislation as an excuse to push renters on to the street deserve the public’s contempt.”
The properties are let on the open market, with reports indicating that residents include benefit claimants and individuals with severe health and mobility issues.
This follows Landlord Knowledge’s recent analysis of Section 21 claims, which showed possession claims have actually fallen rather than surged ahead of the May deadline – contrary to predictions of mass evictions before Section 21 abolition takes effect.
Charity defends rent increases
In a statement on its website, The Poppy Factory said: “We are a national employment charity supporting veterans with health conditions and their families. Income from our private rented homes helps fund this vital work. No veterans or beneficiaries are affected by this review, and all subsidised housing remains unchanged.”
The charity added that over time some rents had fallen significantly below local market levels and that each proposed rent had been assessed individually using three independent professional assessments.
The Poppy Factory states it invests in an annual maintenance programme and that repairs are promptly addressed when reported by tenants. The charity has offered independent inspections where concerns have been raised.
On the consultation process, the charity said: “All affected tenants have been contacted directly and offered one-to-one meetings. We extended the consultation period to allow time for meaningful discussion, and tenants have been encouraged to bring a union representative or advisor if they wish.”
The controversy highlights the tensions facing all types of landlords – including charities and housing associations – as the Renters’ Rights Act implementation date approaches. With just five weeks until the Act takes effect on 1 May 2026, some landlords have sought to use Section 21 notices before the no-fault eviction route closes permanently.
However, recent data from Propertymark suggests most landlords are taking a more measured approach, with the majority choosing to adapt their practices rather than rush to evict tenants.
What this means for landlords
- If you’re a charity or housing association: The same RRA rules apply to you – ensure rent increases are communicated properly and consider tenant circumstances before taking enforcement action.
- Watch for: Reputational risk is now a significant factor – public criticism of landlord practices can escalate quickly, particularly for organisations with charitable status.
- Bottom line: The government has made clear it views pre-RRA evictions as opportunistic rather than necessary – landlords should document legitimate business reasons for any action taken before 1 May.
Editor’s view
The government’s unusually strong language – describing charities’ behaviour as deserving “public contempt” – signals how seriously ministers are taking perceived misuse of Section 21 before abolition. For landlords of all types, the message is clear: justify your actions on their own merits, not on beating a deadline.
Author: Editorial Team – UK landlord & buy-to-let news, policy, and finance
Published: 30 March 2026 | Updated: 31 March 2026
Sources: BBC, The Observer, Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government, The Poppy Factory
Related reading: Section 21 claims hit lowest level since 2022 as mass eviction fears fade
