FLATS in west Cumbria were being marketed as holiday lets online months before residents were made aware they were getting evicted. 

Residents at The Slipway on Whitehaven Harbour discovered they will have to permanently vacate their properties after a letter was sent out by new owners SGL 5 Ltd earlier this month. 

However, it has since been discovered that the flats were being listed as holiday lets online as early as June of this year. 

Global Investment Property listed holiday lets in Whitehaven as Waterview Place with a picture of The Slipway, on June 6, 2024. 

The post said: "The UK’s tourism industry is a juggernaut. Millions visit every year, drawn by stunning landscapes, historic sites, and vibrant cities. This fuels a constant demand for high-quality holiday accommodation.

"Even after a pandemic surge, the market remains strong, offering some of the best returns available for investors.

"Waterview Place aims to capitalise on this demand. The development boasts 27 “meticulously crafted” apartments with panoramic views of the harbour. Affordability is a key selling point, with the promise of robust returns of up to 27 per cent."

Daniella Lipszyc of building owners SGL 5 Ltd said: "I can confirm this was a sales company looking at short-term lets, we are only interested in refurbishment and providing a better-quality property."

The post on the Global Investment Property websiteThe post on the Global Investment Property website (Image: Global Investment Property)

According to SGL 5, of the 27 flats in the property, seven are vacant and another four are on shorter term leases.

Residents reacted with shock and dismay when they received the letters of eviction.

One resident, Jane Lightfoot, said: "It's terrible. I've lived here for 31 years, and I never thought I'd have to leave."

Councillor Emma Williamson, of Kells and Sandwith Ward, added: "This is something I am extremely worried about, many of these residents have lived in these flats for 20-plus years... this is their home."

Cllr Williamson had co-written a letter with MP Josh MacAlister to SGL 5 Ltd expressing their concern over the move. "This sort of practice is completely unacceptable and we would ask you to urgently rethink this decision," they wrote.

Ms Lipszyc said that SGL5's move was unrelated to forthcoming Government legislation banning so-called 'no fault evictions'.