Tenants living in a block of flats at Drake Hall Lane, Daisy Hill, were served with eviction notices on March 26 which incorrectly stated the owner wanted the property back and they would have to leave by May 31.
But the landlords – partners John Martindale and Barbara Cook – said this was not true and never indicated to Be One Homes a wish to repossess their flats.
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John Martindale has owned the property in question for decades, working with Be One Homes for around 13 (Image: Dan Dougherty)
The block of flats, although owned by the two, are managed by Be One Homes, and have been for over a decade.
They are located very near another block of Be One Homes flats where tenants were recently served with section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction notices after being told the property owner wanted to sell.
John said: “I’m very angry with Be One Homes – I’m concerned about the tenants finding new places to live.
“The chances of 16 people finding low-cost accommodation in Westhoughton in three weeks is practically nil.
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The property at Drake Hall, Westhoughton (Image: Google Maps)
“This caused problems for us as well, as understandably the tenants were angry with us because they thought we’d decided to sell.
“The tenants then received a letter from Bolton at Home telling them that they would have to leave their properties, and if they did not do so they may have to go to court and would be liable for Bolton at Home’s legal fees.
“I’ve been a private landlord for decades and I wouldn’t treat people like that.”
John starting working with Be One Homes – then Bolton at Home – around 13 years ago, when the social housing provider approached him with an offer to manage his property.
The lease was originally agreed for 10 years, which went by smoothly before another three year deal was agreed between them.
But despite agreeing to a three-year deal extension, John stated that Bolton at Home, as it was called then, never actually signed their end of the contract.
This first came up in September 2025, when John alleges that Bolton at Home told him that he did not lease a property with them.
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Residents at this property on New Drake Green – directly across the road from John’s property – were also handed eviction notices last week (Image: Ross Cruickshanks)
John contacted the land registry to try and prove that he in fact did, after which Bolton at Home withdrew their statements, he said.
“Why didn’t they come to me first?” said John.
“We could have sorted something out, rather than serving the residents with eviction notices.”
After contacting Be one Homes to complain, John says he was told by an employee that no such letter had been sent.
When John was able to produce the letter, Be One Homes sent another letter to residents, this time stating that they were being evicted because they were ‘winding down the leasing scheme and returning properties back to the owner’.
This came as a shock to John, who said he did not have any idea that Be One Homes no longer want to manage the property, leaving him without support at short notice.
A notice was attached to this letter that indicated to residents that they would be liable for Bolton at Home’s legal fees if they failed to leave the property before an updated date of June 7.
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David Cobane lived in the Drake Hall property for 13 years before being served an eviction notice at the end of March (Image: Dan Dougherty)
“I’ve never been homeless before,” said tenant David Cobane, aged 60.
“I’m working with a private housing officer and they’ve been good so far – they’re my main hope at the moment.
“This was totally out of the blue.”
David’s flat is spotless – as it usually is, according to John, who also stressed that David has paid his rent on time every month for 13 years.
“What is going on is not ok,” David continued.
“It’s just a waiting game at the moment – waiting for letters, waiting for housing options to come up.
“I had a phone call last week from someone at Be One Homes who said they would be back in touch with more housing information, but I haven’t heard anything since.
“The call lasted about 90 seconds.”
John feels that the notice was too aggressive in tone, especially considering many of the residents are vulnerable.
John also claims he has found it difficult to discuss these issues with Be One Homes.
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Noel Sharpe (CEO of Be One Homes) (Image: Be One Homes)
At one point, he said, Be One Homes told him the issue had been discussed with a ‘Mrs Martindale’, despite no such person existing.
The Renters Rights Act came into force on Friday (May 1), banning section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions from that point onwards.
The act also increases the amount of notice landlords must give tenants if they wish to sell to four months.
David is hoping he can find new accommodation before the June 7, the date of the eviction, and is open to suggestions.
John has also been left in limbo with who will be able to manage the complex, as Be One Homes has done so for the last 13 years.
Paul Lowe, Director of Customer and Communities at Be One Homes, said: “We recently apologised to some of our customers in Westhoughton for our lack of communication when we served formal notices to end tenancies for homes we lease from private owners.
“We have acknowledged the worry this caused and have since been in touch with all customers affected to ensure they are fully informed about what’s happening and how we’re supporting them to find a new home.
“Throughout this process we have also kept the private owners of these properties informed, though we recognise some information in our initial communication with customers was incorrect. This information was corrected in our follow-up communication with customers and we’re sorry for any confusion caused by the inaccuracies in our original letter.
“Ensuring everyone affected transitions to a safe, suitable place to live remains our absolute priority. We’re working directly with each household to do this where possible and for some customers we have already secured a new home that meets their needs.”
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