LONDON boroughs will not be allowed to “disown” their homeless residents in Basildon, experts have warned.

Basildon Council’s housing and communities committee met this week to discuss the borough’s five-year homelessness and rough sleeping prevention strategy - which could see a day centre set up and winter night shelters extended.

But the majority of the debate centred on councillors’ concerns over London boroughs moving their homeless residents into Basildon and the borough being left to shoulder the financial responsibility - as well as concerns that rent costs in Basildon would be pushed upwards.

Councillor Tony Hedley said: “If I understood that [an officer’s explanation that London boroughs will maintain responsibility for their residents] correctly, the London borough that may have placed one of their residents in private accommodation there, that contact is with the borough and the landlord not the tenant, so unless the borough that has placed them here breaks that contract, the tenant is protected by the originating borough?

“The rate of benefit is higher in London than out of London, and it is making it more difficult for us to place our residents because we cannot match the rent.

“I take comfort in the officer’s explanation we won’t suddenly get a London borough disowning tenants of those boroughs that have been here for X or Y years and they become a burden to us.”

He also urged the administration to talk to London boroughs and explain the additional pressure it is putting on Basildon.

Major concerns were also raised about permitted developments, which allow old office blocks to be turned into flats without the council having to grant planning permission.

It is believed that this type of development is used to house out-of-borough residents.

Councillor Andrew Gordon added: “Housing legislation has become a bit of a mess over the years. If I had my way I would abolish permitted developments; they are a blight on our town.”

Following the concerns, Lesley O’Shea, assistant director at the council, said: “I have met with the leaders of the London councils with our leader. They have been very positive. It is an unintended consequence, they have housing need like we have. They are not intending to push rents up in our area and prevent us from homing our residents.”