Short seller Viceroy Research launches attack on landlord for homeless

A raging row has broken out between one of the country’s most notorious short sellers and a landlord who shelters the homeless.

Shares in FTSE 250-listed Home Reit plunged nearly 20 percent after short seller Viceroy Research launched an attack on the company, raising allegations about financial stability.

Viceroy is led by British shortseller Fraser Perring, who accused Wirecard of fraud years before the collapse of the German payment processing company.

Perring also targeted Tesla this year and shorted the stock in January, claiming the automaker is overvalued compared to Toyota and Volkswagen. Tesla stock has since fallen 50 percent.

In a 27-page report called No Place Like Home REIT. . . Fortunately, Perring is questioning the company’s business model and ability to collect rent from tenants.

It alleges that many of the tenants Home Reit works with – most of which are charities – to provide housing for the homeless “cannot pay rent, have not paid rent, are in administration, run by bad actors, or simply lack social services.” offer’. housing services’.

The report concludes: “Home Reit tenants are asking questions about the financial viability of Home Reit’s portfolio, as well as the suitability of this venture.

We are convinced that these are not the people who should be entrusted to care for the vulnerable, nor should they be entrusted with your taxes to do so.”

But Home Reit said the report was “inaccurate and misleading,” adding that it had not been approached before the report was released.

A spokesman said: “The company will publish a full and detailed response in due course demonstrating factual inaccuracies and selective use of information.”