GRENFELL TOWER TRAGEDY VICTIMS CHARGED RENT BY COUNCIL

Blunder on tenants’ accounts

FAMILIES evacuated from council homes after the Grenfell Tower disaster are still being charged rent.

The latest cruel gaffe by Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council emerged yesterday when it was revealed residents who fled the inferno that killed at least 80 had rent taken out of bank accounts last week.

Neighbours from blocks adjoining the tower who cannot live in their flats because they have no water or electricity are also still having money taken by standing orders.

But after being contacted by the Sunday People the council apologised, promised refunds and said residents would not have to pay rent until a review next January.

The council was still rakingking in thousands from people who live in thehe labyrinth of flats immediately surroundingding Grenfell Tower, where weekly rents start at £115 for studios rising up to £18989 for three beds.

Yvette Williams, of t he Justice4Grenfell campaign gn group, said: “I had someone comee to me yesterday saying they’d justst got their bank card and thingsngs back, and seen that their rent ent has been deducted.” Joe Beswick, of the Radical Housing Network which includes the Grenfell Action Group, added: “Like everyone else, we’re absolutely appalled to hear reports of a Grenfell fire survivor being charged rent for their destroyed home. The callousness of this council knows no bounds. “We know that hundreds of residents, evacuated because their homes are uninhabitable, with no gas or hot water, are staying in unsuitable hotel accommodation still having to pay their council rent.” Tomassina Hessel, 31, who had to abandon her studio apartment in nearby Barandon Walk after the fire, said she knew she was still paying rent – but hoped doing so would prevent her being evicted from her temporary hotel accommodation. She added: “I know what the council are like. But I don’t think we should have to pay the full amountamoun or pay the service charges.” The counci council said that to the best of its knowledg knowledge rent for people from Grenfell Tow Tower had been stopped but that it was “very“v sorry” if anyone from other blocks had lost money. A spokesm spokesman said: “If any resident has had a dire direct debit or standing order paymen payment for their rent taken this will b be refunded.”