THERE has been outrage and anger following the news that apartments in Redstone House in Harlow Town Centre have been re-advertised as available for rent.

Six weeks ago, YH reported that residents were told they had to move out of their town centre homes after a prohibition notice was served by Essex Fire Service on the apartments.

Over a hundred residents, many who had lived and worked in the town for a number of years, had to find alternative accommodation.

This has caused huge upset to their lives.

But now, adverts have appeared on the internet advertising apartments.

It appeared that the price had gone up. Two bedroomed apartments were being advertised for £1800 plus. We understand the same apartments were in the region of £900 to £1000 pcm just a few months ago.

It also appeared that Redstone House has had its name changed to Endeavour House.

But by late Tuesday evening, all the adverts on a number of letting sites had been removed.

On Monday, we had contacted Criterion Hospitality, whom, according to the adverts,, were the company overseeing the rental

We sent the Group Head of Communications and Engagement for Criterion Capital, a number of questions.

Including:

Where do you believe you stand in relation to the prohibition notice served in relation to the property?

Would it be accurate to say that the properties you are advertising are still subject to a prohibition notice?

Are you actively engaging with relevant authorities to ensure the properties are safe?

They have yet to reply.

YH went up to the town on Tuesday morning and (as you may see from photo) all the windows were open and it looked like a lot of work was being undertaken.

On Monday afternoon, we contacted Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS). We asked them if the prohibition notice was still live.

A ECFRS spokesperson said: ‘The Prohibition Notice is still live and we have not received any information about re-occupying the building.

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The news has not gone down well with the leader of Harlow Labour, cllr James Griggs, who (with his team) did the utmost to help beleaguered residents, before, during and after residents were required to leave.

Cllr Griggs said: “So Redstone House is now Endeavour House?

“What a cruelly ironic name change given that the landlords made no endeavour whatsoever to maintain the building and provide decent accommodation for the previous residents.

“The landlords allowed the building to deteriorate in such an appalling way that it became uninhabitable.

They have now evicted those residents and are busily making the building habitable in order to charge inflated rents. Greed of the most disgraceful kind.

“Any potential tenant would do well to check out the way these landlords treated their previous tenants before they sign anything.

“The sooner the Renters Rights Bill makes it way through parliament the better, enforcing improved standards and rights for tenants, holding landlords to account and abolishing no fault evictions”.

We have also contacted Harlow Council and are awaiting a reply.