Outrage over Playden landlord’s eviction notice

Residents have been told Hilltop Drive is unfit to live in

Hill Top Hospital on Hill Top Drive is owned by Orbit Homes and residents have accused the association of neglect and not adhering to their half of the tenancy.

There are 16 families living there at the moment and they have all been told to relocate so the building can be sold.

James Arter and his wife grew up in Rye and he does not want to be forced to move his family.

Rot and damp is a big issue at Hill Top Hospital

“It’s a very sorry state of affairs for the 16 families, they’ve pulled the rug from under our feet,” he said.

“My wife hasn’t stopped crying and it’s even worse when there’s nothing you can do about it.

“I don’t want to take my son away from his friends and family or interrupt my daughter’s education.”

Mr Arter said Orbit offered them either Uckfield or Norfolk and there are rotten windows and doors.

“We have to check the weather in case there’s going to be a downpour so we know to put down towels because of all the leaks,” he said.

Mr Arter believes Orbit have never lived up to their side of the tenancy and is angry they have decided the homes are not fit for purpose.

“They don’t care and now they are trying to cut their losses and are hoping for a pay-day.

“We have invested a lot to make these homes beautiful and to look after them, this is not a typical housing association.”

The residents have set up a Facebook page to garner support and raise awareness and their online petition has 280 signatures.

Another resident who wished to remain anonymous said: “We’re all devastated so we don’t trust Orbit anymore, we can’t trust them.

“I remember someone from Orbit commenting that they wished they never bought it when we first moved in.”

The resident said she wants answers but has had no luck trying to talk to anyone at Orbit.

“They want to talk to us individually because they would have got lynched if they turned up here,” she said.

“We want to know what this organisation is doing with our money.”

Director of operations for Orbit South Keith Edwards said: “We have invested continuously in repairs to the 16 homes at Hill Top Drive but this has not sufficiently resolved the complex nature of the improvement works needed, so we conducted a detailed review.

“We concluded that the homes are no longer suitable for people to live in without considerable investment and is not financially viable.

“We have not taken the decision to sell these homes lightly. Members of our Housing team have been on-site meeting with customers directly, offering advice and reassurance.

“We recognise that this decision may be difficult for some people to come to terms with and will work closely with our customers to help find them more suitable, alternative accommodation.”

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