Brent council worker promised 'housing for life' threatened with eviction

A retired Brent Council school caretaker whose contract promised him a home for life is facing eviction by his former employer and landlord.

John Card, an elderly army veteran who worked at Kingsbury Green Primary School for 28 years and was provided with a house as a condition of his employment, is now living with serious repairs issues including a rat infestation.

Mr Card's union, GMB, claims that the school is refusing to maintain the property in an attempt to force him out of his home.

His contract guaranteed that in the event of having to leave the property, he would be rehoused.

The council now claim that their policy has changed, although Mr Card was never notified of any changes.

Rather than be rehoused, he has been told to present as homeless.

GMB has repeatedly tried to resolve this issue including by writing to the leader of the council to demand they honour his contract, but the council has refused to meaningfully engage.

John Card, retired caretaker and GMB member said:

“I served Brent locally for decades as both an employee and a tenant.

“I would never have signed my contract if I thought there was a risk I wouldn’t be rehoused.

“All I’m asking the council to do is honour the contract I signed.”

Lisa Bangs, GMB Senior Organiser, said:

“Mr Card’s contract with Brent promised him housing for life.

"He was a loyal and hardworking caretaker and it’s unacceptable for the council to go back on its original commitment to house him.

“Not only is this eviction a disgraceful way to treat a man who worked on behalf of the borough for decades, but the tactics being deployed to push him out of his home are dehumanising in allowing it to fall into disrepair.

"This needs to stop now.”