Tory chair accepted 2k hospitality from developer of HMOs for asylum seekers

"The Conservative party chair, Kevin Hollinrake, accepted thousands of pounds worth of hospitality from a company that converts family homes into houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) for asylum seekers, official records show. According to the MPs' register of interests, Living Redefined covered 2,000 worth of flights, hotel accommodation and dinner for Hollinrake and a family member to attend a property conference in the south of France earlier this year."

"The company presents itself as a lucrative route for landlords to enter the asylum system accommodation market. On its website, Living Redefined says it has provided the Home Office with 84 properties offering 352 bedspaces across the Midlands and east of England, usually with lease agreements under five years. The company boasts on Instagram of turning a two-bedroom house in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, into a five-bed HMO, claiming the conversion generated an annual profit of 27,000 equivalent to a 32% return on investment."

"The firm describes itself as working closely with the Home Office on accommodation supply. But in response to questions from the Guardian, Living Redefined said it did not hold any Home Office contracts. A spokesperson said the company matches landlords with social housing providers to provide homes for social use and had invited Hollinrake in his then capacity as shadow housing secretary to attend the international property conference MIPIM in Cannes."

Kevin Hollinrake received hospitality from Living Redefined that covered flights, hotel accommodation and dinner worth 2,000 for him and a family member to attend a property conference in the south of France. Living Redefined converts family homes into HMOs for asylum seekers and promotes landlord participation in the asylum accommodation market. The company claims to have provided 84 properties with 352 bedspaces across the Midlands and east of England, typically under five-year leases. The firm publicises high returns from HMO conversions but denies holding Home Office contracts and says it matches landlords with social housing providers.

Read at www.theguardian.com