Tonbridge and Malling Council writes to Home Secretary over Walderslade asylum property

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council has raised formal concerns with the Home Secretary about how a Walderslade property was brought into use as asylum dispersal accommodation. The council says it was told in September 2025 that the property was intended for asylum dispersal accommodation and that an HMO licence — a legal requirement for a home shared by several unrelated people — would be needed. The council believes the property was occupied before that licensing process had reached the point where an application could be assessed and before draft licence conditions had been issued.

The letter, signed by three senior council figures and sent on 30 September 2026, asks the Home Office to review the actions of accommodation provider Clearsprings Ready Homes, which supplies asylum housing on behalf of the government. The letter states that the council believes contractual requirements relating to asylum accommodation may not have been followed. The council has not said a breach has been established — it has called for an investigation.

Des Keers, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “Residents have raised significant concerns with the Council regarding this property and have sought answers about how the process has been managed. We believe it is important that the Home Office reviews this case and ensures that the requirements set out are followed consistently and transparently. Residents are already unhappy about this accommodation being used for this purpose but at the very least expect accommodation of this type to meet all relevant standards and requirements before occupation takes place. We have therefore asked the Home Office to investigate this matter.”

The letter was also signed by Council Leader Matt Boughton and Cabinet Member for Housing, Environment and Economy Robin Betts. No response from the Home Office or Clearsprings Ready Homes has been made public.

The council has asked the Home Secretary to respond directly and says it will continue to represent residents’ concerns. Its letter questions whether the contractual requirements placed on asylum accommodation providers were followed in this case — and highlights the impact the situation has had on public confidence in the process. Neither the Home Secretary nor Clearsprings Ready Homes has publicly replied.