Evicted, locks changed, no notice...

jadex

So you are a doctor on £50k salary with £10 in your pocket only?
No card?
Strange, but believable.
As you deal with people on daily basis, you shouldn't go back to your parents (at least I wouldn't) but deal now and there with the issue.
What I'd do (it maybe not quite legally, I don't honestly know), I'd go back to your rented house, pick up a locksmith on the way, break in, change locks, and send bill to LL (aggresive and confrontational? well maybe, but I'd really !!!!ed off).
She can't even add interest for being 6 days late, let alone evicting you.
Do you have a proper AST contract with her?

As for changing bank account, if the original bank account is in your contract, then any changes should be done in formal way, i.e. you should have received letter from LL with new bank details and allowing you some time to arrange new payment (does she have a problems with her partner that she wants to change her banks details so urgently? it's not your problem though).
Also, you don't need to fill out any bank papers to do the payment - just log in, cancel old arrangment, put new bank details in and send the money. Then you can set it up as a recurring payment. No SO needed - why complicate things?

carefullycautious

If this is our new generation of GPs god help us

FATBALLZ

tbs624 wrote: »

However, you are apparently an "educated" person, with a responsible job and a good salary, yet you apparently cannot organise regular payments to your LL nor properly manage your life if your mobile phone is in for repair?

Don't have any advice, but ignore morons like the above, as another poster says, they probably wouldn't take too kindly to having their home repossessed without warning if they were 6 days late with the mortagage.

That's assuming this story is actually true.

jewelly

Touche wrote: »

Got back from work tonight and found my locks had been changed!

I'm 6 days late with the rent. This is because my phone fell/shattered and I need to call the landlady to get her new bank details (she wanted the direct debit changing last month, got me to go round to hers and fill in the form with her new details, but the bank rejected it for "security reasons"... she took it to the bank herself as I was going on holiday). I have a backup of my phone which I was going to restore when I got it back from repair and was going to call her. At the moment I don't have her phone number or address... (I know, not the greatest organisation skills).

Can't you remember where the landlady lives as you have been there?

Zelie

What a dreadful situation. The landlord is clearly in the wrong and is taking criminal action. Insist on making a formal complaint to the police and then perhaps consult a solicitor regarding sueing for any out of pocket expenses you have incurred as a result of the landlord's action.

Oh and for the people expressing disbelief: I earn over £40k. When I'm at work I have about £3 with me and no debit or credit cards. If you work in an environment where you either keep your possessions with you at all times or they are likely to get nicked then you tend to take little of value.

princeofpounds

Wow, poor you.

Ok, here are who can help:

- police. You were badly advised by the officer who told you it was a civil matter. Unfortunately this is not uncommon as police don't understand this area of law well. Go back, tell them that you believe you were misadvised and that you now understand that illegal eviction, unlike most housing issues, is a criminal offence. Be polite, it will help. Ask for a crime reference number. If they still stall you, ask for the duty sergeant an then the procedure for making a complaint.

- shelter. You have been given the number, they can give you free advice.

- council private sector rental team. You are likely to get more action from them than the police in practice. Go see them and tell them you have been illegally evicted.

Go and find the landlady's house and get the address if necessary.

On the plus side, you are due serious compensation if you take this to court.

princeofpounds

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=illegal+eviction+criminal+offence&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari

a simple google search reveals many councils and shelter explaining it is a criminal offence. Should be enough to get the police into gear and give you some advice.

lizzielondon

i don't understand why people seemt o be attacking the OP!

6 days late with the rent is not fair on the LL etc- but there are procedures to follow!

If this is real I can't believe a LL has done this- surely the 6 month prison term is saved for cases like this?

lizzielondon

would they be able to get a locksmith out without showing a tenancy agreement?

actually thinking about it- how can anyone ever prove to a locksmith they're authorised to change locks/ prove they own the property?

ILW

I would have thought that as you still have a legal tenancy, you are within your rights to break in and retake possesion, as long as you undertake to repair any damage caused.