‘Categorically untrue’
19:54, 31 Jul 2025Updated 21:53, 31 Jul 2025
Constellation House, which houses veterans(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Claims tenants in Bolton were being turfed out of their homes in order to make way for migrants have been branded ‘categorically untrue’.
Earlier this week (July 28), Bolton Conservatives claimed that residents in Renaissance Apartments, a privately rented block in the town centre, were at risk of homelessness.
This, it was claimed, was a result of a ‘Labour policy to move migrants out of hotels and into apartments coming into force’.
Leader of Bolton Conservatives, Coun Nadim Muslim, said he found it ‘deeply disturbing’ that people living in the area could face being moved out of their homes ‘to facilitate Keir Starmer’s plans’.
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The announcement was followed by further rumours circulating online that another accommodation block nearby was also subject to the same plans.
Constellation House, in Farnworth, houses veterans and offers mental health support
Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Reform’s Trevor Jones said: “Armed force veterans served eviction notices, tenants concerned the landlord is clearing the 20 flats for asylum seekers.”
He also shared a video of the outside of the property.
Constellation House in Farnworth(Image: Manchester Evening News)
The Conservatives claimed that Serco had ‘allegedly’ taken over management of Renaissance Apartments and that its residents had been handed a Section 21 notice telling them they were being moved out of the property.
The statement described Serco is a ‘company that has the government contract for housing migrants who have crossed the English Channel illegally.’
It continued: “This unprecedented move comes as many Bolton residents already struggle to get onto the housing ladder. Residents in the Renaissance Apartments were given a Section 21 eviction order weeks ago, telling them they had to be out of their apartment within a month. No offer of help was given.”
‘Categorically untrue’
It has now been confirmed residents at Constellation House, including several veterans, have been issued with section 21 notices – but in response to the Manchester Evening News, Serco described claims they would be replaced by migrants as ‘categorically untrue’.
The firm added there were no such plans in force for either of the apartment blocks.
A spokesperson for the Home Office also confirmed that claims asylum seekers would move into flats at either Renaissance or Constellation were incorrect.
When the Manchester Evening News visited Renaissance Apartments on Thursday (July 31), the majority of the block appeared to be unoccupied, with building improvements ongoing. Debris, fixtures and fittings were seen in a pile as workmen continued their renovations.
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The Renaissance Apartments in Bolton(Image: Manchester Evening News)
It is understood a Section 21 order was issued to tenants of the building, which is managed by Aspire Rentals, in order for this renovation work to take place.
Rean Snyman, one of the directors of the company that owns the Renaissance, told the M.E.N. that prior to issuing the section 21s, they had unsuccessfully attempted to sell the property as a whole.
He said: “We are refurbishing all the apartments to a very high standard and selling them individually once completed.”
Describing it as ‘a business decision’, he added: “The new renters’ rights bill along with all the other legislation passed over the years has finally made it unsustainable to rent out the properties. We attempted to sell the property as a whole, but nobody is interested in buying it for the same reasons.
“We have therefore decided to completely refit the apartments and sell them off individually.
“The tenants were asked to vacate with plenty of notice, in order for us to refurbish the apartments. They are being completely gutted and obviously nobody can live in a property that has no facilities.
“There are still 17 tenants living in Renaissance apartments, who are due to leave over the next few months, so that we can do the refurbishment on them.”
Residents are being evicted(Image: Manchester Evening News)Veterans service ‘did not meet the required standards’.
At Constellation House, on Grundy Road, it has been confirmed property managers Qualitas Housing issued Section 21 notices to tenants on July 18- some of whom are veterans.
According to Bolton Council, this was a decision made entirely by Qualitas Housing as the independent provider.
But the firm has since rubbished the rumours repeated by Reform regarding migrants, branding them ‘entirely false’.
Constellation House is home to veterans who receive support(Image: Manchester Evening News)
It’s understood that Qualitas had applied to receive direct housing benefit in exchange for providing the supported accommodation for veterans.
The M.E.N has now learned that eviction notices were issued after Qualitas Housing failed to qualify for the direct housing benefit and support payments from the DWP – because the local authority believed the service ‘did not meet the required standards’.
In order to qualify, providers must meet specific criteria under the legislation. This is to ensure that taxpayer’s money is being used effectively to support vulnerable residents appropriately.
The majority of residents have been living in Constellation House following a referral from charities and other local authorities. The property rent is covered, along with costs to provide veterans with assigned support workers and mental health support, it’s understood.
A Bolton Council spokesperson said: “Exempt accommodation providers receive housing benefits directly, in exchange for providing support services to vulnerable tenants.
“Housing benefits paid to exempt accommodation providers are not subject to the same caps as regular housing benefits.
“In order to qualify, providers must meet specific criteria to ensure appropriate services and facilities are in place.
“While the council previously concluded that Constellation House did not meet the required standards, this decision has now been appealed and we are reviewing the case in in line with the legislation.”
Labour MP for Bolton South and Walkden, Yasmin Qureshi, said: “I understand an appeal was submitted by Qualitas on July 25 and is currently under review by Housing Benefits.
“I am pleased that Bolton Council and Qualitas Housing have clarified the situation and are working quickly to find a resolution for the affected residents”
She also criticised the Conservative Party and the Bolton branch of Reform UK for suggesting migrants would be moving in to either of the properties.
‘I was asleep on Friday morning when there was a bang on the door’
James Sheldon, 32, served for six years in Afghanistan from the age of 17 and was positioned in the Duke of Lancaster regiment. He has lived in Constellation House since January of 2022.
He said there is a ‘good support network’ for those living in the block, with mental health and support workers assigned to veterans living there. He claimed that the rent, covered by the government, is £400 a week – inclusive of mental health services, guidance and counselling provided.
He was moved into the property following a referral from the Forces Employment Charity through Operation Nova. He claims that there are issues with the property, such as lack of maintenance, and general poor workmanship with thin walls and cracking plasterboard.
But the sudden news of a possible eviction – as residents were handed the notices late last week – has left everyone in ‘panic mode’.
He said: “I was asleep on Friday morning when there was a bang on the door. A person from Qualitas knocked on and basically just told us we were being served these notices. We didn’t know anything.
“It’s a tough pill to swallow. I am not a person to ask for help, but to go on the front line is a big thing. It was my dream and I followed it through. But, it took me years after to finally reach out for help.
“We are in limbo. We don’t know where we could end up. Nobody knows what to do and we are all in panic mode now.
“It’s come to the point where I have started packing my stuff away and started selling furniture and belongings, including one of my sofas. I am in a panic myself trying to get rid of things in case I get chucked out. That’s how I’m thinking.
“All we know is the rent is paid on our behalf, and the next thing we know, we are getting a knock at the door.
“These are people who have fought for the country and risked their lives on duty, and can’t even be supported. It’s like we are being forgotten.”
“Qualitas Housing is aware of recent claims”
Qualitas Housing said that the claims of resident veterans being moved out to make way for asylum seekers was ‘entirely false’ – but that those living there were instead handed eviction notices due to the local authority’s ‘refusal to reinstate housing benefit for tenants’.
James claimed that the Section 21 notice runs up until September 18. In the meantime, an appeal has been lodged which is now being reviewed by the council.
A Qualitas spokesperson said: “Qualitas Housing is aware of recent claims suggesting that armed forces veterans are being evicted from Constellation House to accommodate asylum seekers. These claims are entirely false.
“The difficult decision to issue Section 21 notices followed the local authority’s refusal to reinstate Housing Benefit for the tenants.
“We are actively supporting the tenants in appealing this decision and are working closely with both them and the council to ensure that no individual is left without suitable accommodation.”
Bolton Conservative leader
Following the update, Bolton Conservative leader Nadim Muslim issued another statement. He said: “Neither my previous comments nor those of Bolton Conservatives referred to veterans being evicted to house migrants.
He then added that the party is now aware that no illegal migrants will be housed in Renaissance Apartments.
He said: “This information was not known before. In fact, this information has only come to light because we’ve brought it into the public domain. To suggest we should have enquired privately beforehand risks conversations being had behind closed doors and offering no reassurance to the public. That toxic back room culture is not one I endorse.
“What this has done is expose some serious questions, both about the veterans at Constellation House and plans by Serco for future housing of illegal migrants.”