A young family living next to a supported exempt property in Shenstone Road, north Edgbaston, has described their ordeal as 'hellish', claiming the house became a hub for drug taking and sex work. The couple, parents to two boys aged eight and ten, have captured evidence on their doorbell camera, including cars with tinted windows making brief stops they believe are drug deliveries in the early hours, loud arguments over money, sex work references, and signs of violence.
The constant smell of cannabis and blaring music at night have severely impacted their quality of life. The final straw came when a visitor urinated on their bin, followed by a hit-and-run that damaged their parked car. 'It's been a nightmare and it's hard to get anyone to take action,' the father, a full-time public services worker, told BirminghamLive. 'We can't let the boys play out front or in the garden because we can't be sure they are safe.'
Dossier of Evidence Submitted to Councillor
The family compiled a dossier of doorbell footage showing tenants meeting cars at 3am, collecting small items or briefly entering vehicles. The footage also captures altercations and arguments among visitors. They shared this with local Labour councillor Marcus Bernasconi, who confirmed the landlord had evicted one tenant last month. Councillor Bernasconi raised the issue in a city council debate, joining residents and MPs demanding tougher government action.
The Scandal of Exempt Accommodation
Birmingham is the national hotspot for exempt supported accommodation, with over 12,000 properties—mostly former family homes—housing 32,000 people. The sector generates an estimated £400 million annually in public funds, much of which ends up in private pockets. These properties are largely unregulated and unlicensed, attracting vulnerable individuals from across the UK, including recently released prisoners and those on probation.
A new law designed to curb rogue providers was passed three years ago but remains on hold. Meanwhile, Birmingham City Council is investigating claims that its benefits team is a 'soft touch' for some providers.
Street Transformed by HMOs and Hostels
The family moved to Shenstone Road in 2015 and raised their sons there, but say the community feel has been lost. 'It has changed a lot. There are now HMOs and other shared houses all along the street, and now we have it right next to us,' the father explained. 'Some tenants are clearly being exploited and are very vulnerable. The police have been several times, but it's hard to believe they are getting any real support.'
Cllr Bernasconi, who lives on the same street, stated: 'I've been supporting this family since they first raised the challenges. This matters to me not only because it highlights the scandal of poorly managed supported exempt accommodation but because it's unfolding on the very street I live on.' He called for landlords to be held accountable.
Owner Denies Allegations
The property is managed by Twenty Fifth Avenue Ltd, a charity that expanded rapidly from London to Birmingham, now operating around 700 units. Its income soared from £1.4 million in 2021 to £8.9 million last year from housing benefits. The company did not respond to requests for comment.
The property owner, Jayantilal Bhikhabhai Chouhan, 79, from Dorridge, Solihull, denied any complaints. In a brief conversation, he said: 'Whatever allegations you have heard, they are ill founded. By law, if they had been going on—drugs or prostitution—nobody has contacted me.' He ended the call and did not respond to further messages.
How Exempt Housing Works
Exempt supported accommodation provides a lifeline for care leavers, rough sleepers, and those with mental health or addiction issues. However, the lack of licensing and planning requirements makes it highly lucrative, with landlords receiving up to £400 per room per week in housing benefit. Critics argue the system attracts unscrupulous providers who fail to deliver promised support, leaving tenants and neighbours to suffer.
